IRELAND CAPTAIN RORY Best must come through training in Carton House tomorrow if he is to lead his side into Saturday’s final round Six Nations clash with Scotland in the Aviva Stadium [KO 5pm].
The Ulster hooker sat out Tuesday’s training session due to tightness in his calf, though Ireland stated an expectation that Best would recover in time to feature in tomorrow’s run-out.
If Best comes through the test of his calf tomorrow morning, he will captain what is set to be an unchanged Ireland XV for Saturday’s meeting with the Scots. Richardt Strauss is on standby to start for Ireland if Best is ruled out, with Sean Cronin providing a further option.
Having scored nine tries against Italy last weekend, Ireland will have been hesitant to make changes ahead of what remains a must-win fixture against Vern Cotter’s Scotland.
Schmidt may make alterations to his bench, with Cian Healy and Eoin Reddan having returned to full training on Tuesday after missing the 58-15 win over Italy.
Schmidt is scheduled to name his match day 23 to face Scotland at 1.45pm tomorrow.
Possible Ireland XV:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Mike Ross
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
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