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O'Connell Will Be 'Fit...

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O'Connell Will Be 'Fit & Raring To Go'

98FM
98FM

02:55 4 Feb 2014


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The Irish coaching staff aren't sweating over Paul O'Connell's availability for the Six Nations clash with Wales just yet.

The inspirational lock missed the competition opener against Scotland on Sunday but team manager Mick Kearney is confident he will be ready for the game on Saturday despite sitting out training at Carton House today.

"I think the nature of any chest infection is a little bit of wait and see. It just doesn't recover overnight. He's on his third day of treatment but again all the signs are he will be fit and raring to go by Saturday."

Cian Healy didn't train fully today. The prop took part in scrummaging exercises but not in the running part of the session. Kearney told media Healy's problem was just wear and tear but forward's coach John Plumtree was a little more revealing.

"Cian Healy at the weekend, played really well but made a big run up the middle of the field and then had to get back again and picked up a bit of an ankle so it was a cue for us to say okay let's get Jack (McGrath) on."

The Leinster prop had an ankle op back in December and looked to be touch and go for the start of the Six Nations as he faced an 8-week recovery period.

Miraculously he was back in action for Leinster in the Heineken Cup 3 weeks ago, just 4 weeks after the op.

Rob Kearney missed today's session with a slight calf knock but is expected to be back training with O'Connell on Thursday.

The news isn't so good for Leinster duo Luke Fitzgerald (hip) and Eoin Reddan (calf) who are now hoping to get some game time with their province on the weekend after next, when the Six Nations takes a break, and at best could feature at the latter stages of the Championship.

Tommy Bowe (groin) and Donnacha Ryan (knee) are further behind in their recovery and there is a real possibilty both players could miss the whole tournament.

Image © www.inpho.ie


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