Ireland’s preparations for their upcoming Six Nations clash with Wales have been hit by injury concerns, with key forwards Caelan Doris and Rónan Kelleher facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s match in Dublin.
In an update released on Sunday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed that both players’ workloads are “being managed.” Doris, the team captain, is dealing with a knee injury, while hooker Kelleher is struggling with a neck issue.
Meanwhile, Ulster forwards Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu have been ruled out of the fixture. Henderson, who made an appearance off the bench in Ireland’s opening win against England, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Izuchukwu will miss out due to an ankle problem. Both players will continue their rehabilitation with their club.
Positive Injury News for Hansen and McCarthy
On a more positive note, Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy have returned to training.
Winger Hansen, who played in the opening match against England but missed the victory over Scotland, has recovered from a hamstring injury. Lock forward McCarthy, who has yet to feature in this year’s campaign due to a head injury, is also back in contention.
Prop Tadhg Furlong is making steady progress in his recovery from a calf injury that has kept him out of action since mid-January.
Squad Reinforcements and Upcoming Fixtures
With injuries depleting the squad, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Diarmuid Mangan, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, and Nick Timoney have all been called up as cover.
Ireland, currently leading the Six Nations table after two rounds, will face a struggling Wales side that has lost their last 14 Tests. Following the Wales match, Ireland will turn their attention to a highly anticipated showdown against France in Dublin on March 8.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby is set to name his squad for the Wales clash on Thursday morning.
