48 HOURS POST-MATCH Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad are still nursing the scars of a draw with Wales.
Last week’s main injury concern Sean O’Brien did at least take a full part in training in Maynooth today, while Rob Kearney’s schedule was again limited. The fullback is expected to train fully on Thursday, after the players’ midweek day off.
As for the swollen ranks of wounded bodies from Sunday, Keith Earls remains the most serious doubt as he progresses through concussion return to play protocols. As the Munster man sits out training, Leinster’s Fergus McFadden has joined the squad as cover.
“Keith is going through HIA 1 and had passed that but he is in that sort of process where he is working through those protocols at the moment,” skills coach Richie Murphy said at Carton House today.
“He feels pretty good himself but a six day turnaround… we will just have to assess that later on in the week and see where he is at.”
We are squeezed for time with the six day turnaround but no player is going to be ruled out (yet). We will be picking the best team to go to war with France at the weekend.”
The shoulder complaint that brought Jonathan Sexton’s match to an early finish has also kept him out of today’s session, and the out-half wasn’t short of company as 80-minute men Andrew Trimble (shoulder) and Simon Zebo (knee) were close by, though the trio are expected to train fully on Thursday.
Tommy O’Donnell, who was replaced after undergoing a head injury assessment on Sunday, is taking a full part in training.
Props Mike Ross and Cian Healy have not been called up to the Ireland squad, they will instead be in contention for Leinster’s home Pro12 clash with Zebre on Friday night.
