IRELAND ARE LIKELY to be without Aoife Wafer once again for Sunday’s World Cup clash with Spain in Northampton.
Wafer returned to training this week after missing the build-up to Sunday’s win over Japan, but her role was limited. A pair of knee injuries have seen her miss every Ireland game since the Six Nations victory against Wales.
“I’m not working directly with her, but in terms of running, she joined in with the lineouts, but that gives an indication that she’s on track and going really well,” said Alex Codling, one of Ireland’s assistant coaches.
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“She’s working really hard, she’s coming back and is very close. As a coaching group, it’s important we make sure that moment is right for her and right for the team, so we’ll monitor that over the next couple of days.”
Co-captain Edel McMahon was also held back from parts of Wednesday’s session, though Codling is confident this was a precautionary measure after she played 75 minutes on Sunday in her first game back since her own knee injury.
Ireland's Edel McMahon. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s important for us as a coaching group where we just manage the loads of players,” said Codling.
“She’s been out for a while, she was exceptional at the weekend, so we’re just making sure she’s fit and ready.”
Sunday’s win over Japan saw Ireland shift Fiona Tuite from the second row to number six. She was responsible for calling the lineout – Codling’s area of expertise – on a day which saw Ireland manufacture good attacking opportunities from the set-piece. Four lost throws, though, leave Codling and co with enough room for improvement ahead of the Japan clash.
“From a personal level, I think Fiona over the last 12 months has been incredible,” said Codling. “She adds massive value, you also have an outstanding captain in Sam Monaghan coming back [at secondrow]. That gives you one situation to look at as coaches.
“The second situation is when you lose the likes of Dorothy Wall and Erin King [out of this World Cup through injury], that gives you another challenge. The beauty of this group is that when things change and things evolve, people come in and step in, and there was that tactical element around the lineout, making sure the balance of the team is correct.
“Aoife [Wafer] is coming back and getting very close. We judge every game, game by game. We don’t look too far ahead, and it’s about what can be best for the team.”
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Wafer likely to miss Ireland's World Cup clash on Sunday, but McMahon in line to play
IRELAND ARE LIKELY to be without Aoife Wafer once again for Sunday’s World Cup clash with Spain in Northampton.
Wafer returned to training this week after missing the build-up to Sunday’s win over Japan, but her role was limited. A pair of knee injuries have seen her miss every Ireland game since the Six Nations victory against Wales.
“I’m not working directly with her, but in terms of running, she joined in with the lineouts, but that gives an indication that she’s on track and going really well,” said Alex Codling, one of Ireland’s assistant coaches.
“She’s working really hard, she’s coming back and is very close. As a coaching group, it’s important we make sure that moment is right for her and right for the team, so we’ll monitor that over the next couple of days.”
Co-captain Edel McMahon was also held back from parts of Wednesday’s session, though Codling is confident this was a precautionary measure after she played 75 minutes on Sunday in her first game back since her own knee injury.
“It’s important for us as a coaching group where we just manage the loads of players,” said Codling.
“She’s been out for a while, she was exceptional at the weekend, so we’re just making sure she’s fit and ready.”
Sunday’s win over Japan saw Ireland shift Fiona Tuite from the second row to number six. She was responsible for calling the lineout – Codling’s area of expertise – on a day which saw Ireland manufacture good attacking opportunities from the set-piece. Four lost throws, though, leave Codling and co with enough room for improvement ahead of the Japan clash.
“From a personal level, I think Fiona over the last 12 months has been incredible,” said Codling. “She adds massive value, you also have an outstanding captain in Sam Monaghan coming back [at secondrow]. That gives you one situation to look at as coaches.
“The second situation is when you lose the likes of Dorothy Wall and Erin King [out of this World Cup through injury], that gives you another challenge. The beauty of this group is that when things change and things evolve, people come in and step in, and there was that tactical element around the lineout, making sure the balance of the team is correct.
“Aoife [Wafer] is coming back and getting very close. We judge every game, game by game. We don’t look too far ahead, and it’s about what can be best for the team.”
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