IRELAND WILL HAVE to work without forwards coach Gert Smal for the rest of the Six Nations campaign.
Anthony Foley – who fills the same role for Munster – has been drafted in to replace the South African. Smal is suffering from an eye injury.
“Unfortunately Gert fell ill earlier in the week and he’s ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations,” Declan Kidney said today. “Many years ago he would have taken a bang to the eye and he has an area there that he needs to look after.
“So, it rules him out of the rest of the Six Nation but your health is your most important thing and we wish him well. But in the short term, we need to bring someone in and just like the players come through from the Wolfhounds, so too Anthony comes in.
Foley will link up with the Ireland squad after Munster’s RaboDirect Pro12 against Cardiff tonight ahead of tomorrow’s game with Italy at the Aviva Stadium.