Murray Kinsella reports from Wembley
ROB KEARNEY WILL undergo a scan on his glute in Guildford today, as his participation in next weekend’s World Cup clash against Italy looks in danger.
More positively, Robbie Henshaw will return to full training this week and will be available for selection against the Italians.
The 29-year-old was forced off the pitch during Ireland’s win over Romania in London yesterday evening, only minutes after he had come off the bench as a replacement and scored a try. It was in the act of scoring that Kearney was injured.
The fullback started Ireland’s World Cup opener against Canada, having missed the final warm-up game away to England with a knee injury.
“Rob may have suffered a gluteal strain and will have a scan in Guildford later today,” said team manager Mick Kearney at Ireland’s hotel in Wembley this morning.
We’re really going to have to wait and see what the results of the scan are like later today, so I’d say it could be 24 or 48 hours before we have a definitive view on whether he will be available for the weekend or not.
Asked if fullback Kearney’s entire World Cup was in doubt due to this new injury, the Ireland team manager couldn’t reveal anything further.
“I wouldn’t have thought so, but I’m not a medical expert and that’s the information we have to date.”
It’s a concern for Joe Schmidt heading into the Italy week certainly, and the Kiwi head coach will be waiting anxiously for the results of Kearney’s scan after Ireland arrive down to their new team base in Guildford this evening.
Wing Tommy Bowe said the playing squad will have their fingers crossed too, hoping that Kearney is not ruled out for the long-term.
Seeing Rob coming off is something you don’t want to see,” said Bowe, “but I’m sure he’s confident that it’s not going to be something that is too strenuous. We’ve just got to wait and see. Fingers crossed it will be fine.
“It would be a massive disappointment, but I don’t think we’ll worry too much until we get the medical feedback on it.”
Mick Kearney confirmed again that Keith Earls passed his Head Injury Assessment during yesterday’ game, although he “has some neck stiffness” this morning. The Munster wing will complete his return-to-play process tomorrow, as is the norm.
“It’s a three-step process, so he completed the one coming off the pitch and was allowed to come back on,” said Kearney. “Then he had the stage two post-game and he’ll go through stage three tomorrow. That’s the formula and that’s how it will happen.
“It was part of the plan that he would come off after 60 minutes, that was the plan,” said Kearney when asked if Earls’ substitution after returning from his HIA had anything to do with the head knock.
Kearney also said that back row Jordi Murphy suffered a dead leg against the Romanians but is “expected to be fine.”
There was good news with the confirmation that Robbie Henshaw will return to full training this week in Guildford, including contact work, meaning he will be ready to face Italy barring any unexpected setbacks.
“Robbie will train fully this week and is available for selection this weekend.”
