Hugo Keenan’s knee injury, sustained in Ireland’s 36-0 win over Italy over a week ago, will affect next Saturday’s Six Nations third round tie against Wales at the Aviva Stadium (2pm The injury remains Ireland’s most pressing injury concern ahead of the 15:15 kick-off. ).
Ian Henderson limped off in the first half of Ulster University’s defeat to the Ospreys at Swansea, but Keenan is as irreplaceable as anyone.
During Andy Farrell’s time as Ireland’s head coach, no player has logged more minutes (2,916) for the team than the ever-reliable full-back, who won 36 caps. Keenan has started 32 of Ireland’s 36 Test matches since February 2021.
Keenan did not train with the rest of the squad during last weekend’s two-day gathering, but assistant coach Paul O’Connell said the player had not been ruled out from the match against Wales. However, if there are concerns about his fitness, he is likely to be given a further two weeks ahead of Round 4 against England at Twickenham.
Additionally, if either Mack Hansen or Jimmy O’Brien were fit and healthy, one or the other would have been the logical choice for this eventuality. However, Hansen dislocated his shoulder in Connacht’s game against Munster on New Year’s Day, and in what should have been a knock-on for O’Brien, the Leinster manager said he will be sidelined for “several months” due to a neck injury. It is said that there is .
Keenan’s number 15 replacement against Wales will most likely be Ciaran Frawley or Jack Crowley. Frawley is starting more games at inside center or outside half for Leinster, but the 26-year-old Skerries utility back has played six games for the province at full-back this season.
Crowley also bounced between three positions during his fledgling career, moving to full-back when Harry Byrne was brought in for Keenan against Italy, but the Munster player was replaced by Johnny Sexton as manager. As we established our team, we continued to be number 10 in the state and country for a long time. immediate successor.
The other options are for Jacob Stockdale or Jordan Larmour to play there, or for one of them to be named on the wing, with James Rowe, who played for Chiefs and Maori All Blacks, moving to full-back. It is also possible to do so.
Aside from a possible call-up at full-back, Farrell and his assistant coach appear to be operating at near-full fitness, so he will be joining Garry Ringrose, Bundy Aki and Peter O in midfield and on the bench. This has led to a particularly tricky call-up. “Mahony and Tadhg Furlong all returned to training last weekend.
With Ringrose missing the opening two wins against France and Italy with a shoulder injury, Aki and a rejuvenated Robbie Henshaw renewed the old Connacht partnership, with Stuart Macro following to great effect against France. Ski effectively replaced Aki. The Italians.
It would not be a surprise to see him return to the starting XI as Ireland begin their Six Nations title defense, apart from full-back and potentially midfield. The same goes for Josh van der Vlier and Jamison Gibson-Park, who were on the bench against Italy.
The absence of Aki, Henshaw and Ringrose from the starting midfield is likely to be filled by players on the bench. Assuming Beirne returns alongside Joe McCarthy and the back row of O’Mahony, van der Flier and Cielan Doris reassembles, Farrell et al. They may have to make a difficult decision to select two players from Beirne. James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan.