Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Caelan Doris misses Ireland training, Hugo Keenan update issued

By PA
Caelan Doris (back left) was a bystander at Ireland training on Tuesday (Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland back-rower Caelan Doris is expected to be fully fit to face Wales in the Guinness Six Nations, despite sitting out training on Tuesday. The 25-year-old suffered “bumps and bruises” while captaining his country to a 36-0 win over Italy in round two of the championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

Full-back Hugo Keenan is yet to train after being forced off by a knee injury against the Azzurri on February 11 but will be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match in Dublin.

“Caelan didn’t train and that was the plan at the beginning of the week, just to manage him,” defence coach Simon Easterby told a press conference, according to the Irish Independent. “But we’re expecting him to train fully tomorrow [Wednesday] so there should be no issue with Caelan.

Video Spacer

Handre Pollard on that winning mindset in the big moments – Big Jim Show | RPTV

Jim Hamilton met up with Handre Pollard to discuss the Rugby World Cup and amongst other things, having nerves of steel. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Handre Pollard on that winning mindset in the big moments – Big Jim Show | RPTV

Jim Hamilton met up with Handre Pollard to discuss the Rugby World Cup and amongst other things, having nerves of steel. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

“He is probably carrying a few (knocks), but more bumps and bruises. I guess he took a few hits against Italy and he is in a good place but he needs to be managed in a couple of areas. We don’t expect him not to be fully fit for the weekend.”

Keenan, meanwhile, has been almost ever-present in Ireland’s number 15 jersey during the past three years. Asked for an update on the 27-year-old, Easterby said: “He is good, and I think again, it’s sort of similar to Caelan.

Fixture
Six Nations
Ireland
31 - 7
Full-time
Wales
All Stats and Data

“Hugo has been such a massive part of this group since he first made his debut a few years ago, so it’s important that we give him the opportunity to prove his fitness. But we are really excited as well about the opportunities that might present if he doesn’t make it.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is due to name his team on Thursday afternoon. Lock Iain Henderson is another doubt after sustaining a foot injury on Sunday during Ulster’s 19-17 United Rugby Championship defeat to the Ospreys.

ADVERTISEMENT

Easterby said final calls on the fitness of Keenan, Doris and Henderson will be made on Wednesday. “For someone like Caelan in particular, you wouldn’t want to leave it too late,” he said.

“You would also want to make sure you give the guys that potentially do start the opportunity to get time in the saddle. It’s important that we grow the squad and grow the experience that the guys have and that is the case for Caelan’s position and Hugo’s.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 11

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road

Pacific Four Series 2024 | Canada vs USA

Japan Rugby League One | Verblitz v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Fresh Starts | Episode 2 | Sam Whitelock

Royal Navy Men v Royal Air Force Men | Full Match Replay

Royal Navy Women v Royal Air Force Women | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
Jon 3 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

15 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Dan Carter weighs in on who should be Scott Robertson's All Black 10 Dan Carter on who should be Razor's All Black 10
Search