Advertisement
INPHO/Billy Stickland
sick and tired

Illness in Irish camp hits preparations for Canada clash

Les Kiss may have to change tack ahead of Saturday.

A STOMACH BUG has hit the Irish rugby squad as they prepare for their game against Canada on Saturday.

A number of the travelling party have been placed in isolation, in a bid to contain the situation.

Les Kiss — who is leading the squad ahead of Joe Schmidt’s official takeover — has indicated that the stomach illness may affect his team plans.

The former Leinster boss, for his part, says he’s enjoying to observe the players..

“It’s nice to have joined up,” Schmidt said yesterday, “a long day yesterday getting from Houston to here. We’ve been welcomed by some wet weather which we didn’t expect but it’s meant to fine up later in the week. I’m sure it’ll be another combative battle against Canada because it was very tough in USA in Houston.

“I’ve had a great opportunity to observe players in a training environment and their preparation leading up to the game. And also to have an opportunity to  talk to Anthony Foley and Gert Smal in preparation for what’s going to be going on in the game and Les Kiss obviously as well. So it’s been a great opportunity for me to get an idea of what Ireland are currently doing and I think the coaching staff are working really hard in getting the players up and prepared,” he added.

YouTube: O2Rugby

There’s unlikely to be a full training session today in Toronto.

Tommy Bowe on track for second Test return, says Warren Gatland

Here are all 10 tries from the Lions’ rout of Combined Country this morning