Ireland Rugby Squad: Injury Worries Mount for Six Nations

One imagines there has been a flowing line of contact between Andy Farrell and the Leinster medical department in the last few days. The bulk supplier to the Ireland senior team have, for the most part, avoided a lengthy injury list in recent seasons. Now that the rain has arrived, it's starting to pour. Farrell names his squad for the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations tomorrow, and already would have been planning without Ryan Baird, for the first block of games at least, after the versatile forward picked up long-term injury in November. Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy joined that list a week ago, although Porter could shake off a calf injury to feature later in the championship. Saturday in Bayonne just added to the headache: Tadhg Furlong limped out in the first quarter with a calf issue, an injury that has become all too regular for the tighthead, while Robbie Henshaw followed later in the half with a knee complaint. Tommy O’Brien (below), one of the few bright sparks for Ireland in November, pulled up with a calf problem in the second half, while Jimmy O’Brien also hurt his hamstring. Information on those injuries was pretty limited on Monday afternoon, as Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber said they had "no clarity" just yet, as the waited on results from the players’ scans. Wednesday’s Six Nations squad announcement should provide some of that clarity. There are just over two weeks to go until Ireland begin their Six Nations championship away to France in Paris on Thursday, 5 February, and it’s rare there has been so much uncertainty around how a team under Farrell will look, in large part down to fitness. In addition to the above injuries, Connacht’s Mack Hansen is off the radar for the next few months as he recovers from his foot surgery, while promising wing Shayne Bolton is also unavailable for the next couple of months with a quad injury. Across the provinces, there are several internationals carrying injuries which at the very least will limit their preparation for Paris, with Finlay Bealham, Calvin Nash and Tom Ahern among them. Thankfully, the medical room at Ulster is a bit quieter. Cormac Izuchukwu (foot) and Jacob Stockdale (concussion) are both doubts for this weekend’s trip to Scarlets, although both should be able to link up with the Irish squad next week, if selected. One thing Farrell will be relieved to see is both Hugo Keenan (above) and Jamie Osborne back in training for Leinster. Keenan hasn’t been seen since the third British and Irish Lions Test in the summer due to hip surgery, while Osborne has been out since a shoulder injury in October. Both have returned to training in recent weeks and have a chance of being available for the opening week in Paris. Their selections would come with a risk, however. Leinster have already clarified neither will play in this Saturday’s trip to Connacht, and if they are to get any gametime before the Six Nations, it would have to come against Edinburgh on Saturday, 31 January, which would require staying at home while the rest of the Ireland squad hold their training camp in Portugal. All in all, the Ireland coach has some spaces to fill, both in his matchday squad and in the extended group. Most pressing will be in the front row, particularly with France up first and Ireland's most recent outing seeing them take a hiding at the scrum against South Africa. While Porter could return later in the tournament, McCarthy is definitely out, and it leaves Jack Boyle (below) – who was impressive against Bayonne last weekend - as the clear front runner to wear number one in Paris. Behind Boyle, there’s a wide open race. Munster’s Michael Milne and Jeremy Loughman have played for Ireland under Farrell, and at least one of that pair should be in the squad, with one other spot potentially up for grabs, depending on Furlong and Bealham’s injuries. Bealham can cover loosehead, but if Furlong is unavailable for Paris, he will be needed in tandem with Thomas Clarkson at tighthead. Farrell has flirted with the idea of turning Ulster’s Tom O’Toole into a loosehead prop in recent seasons, and with the 27-year-old enjoying a good season, his versatility could make him a valuable player given the uncertainty around so many senior props. The meat in that sandwich in Paris will be Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher at hooker, but there is a big decision to be made for Farrell’s third-choice, with Ulster’s Tom Stewart having an exceptional season, and the incumbent, Gus McCarthy, only seeing sporadic gametime. If we are to see a new face in the second row, it could well be Munster’s Edwin Edogbo (below). The powerful 23-year-old had been due to link up with the Irish squad in November before a concussion cost him a trip to Chicago. Now nine games into his comeback from a serious Achilles injury, the second row is getting better week on week, and was one of the few Munster players who could hold their heads high after last week’s defeat to Castres. It would be no surprise to see him capped between now and mid-March. Don't rule out an appearance at Stade de France, given the need for bulk. The back row selections appear straightforward with the regulars of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, while Connacht’s Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney should remain as the next men up after solid November campaigns. Baird’s injury could see Tadhg Beirne utilised in the back row as the modern hybrid-lock, while Izuchukwu will hope to get brought in after recovering from injury. Ahern may once again miss out, given the uncertainty around his neck injury. Looking to the future, Farrell could extend a call-up to Ulster’s Bryn Ward or Munster’s Brian Gleeson, who has just signed a new deal with the province, to come into camp as 'development players’, although with an Ireland 'A' game against England 'A' in early February, their path may be better suited for that game at Thomond Park. Ulster will hope their start to the season is rewarded, and Nathan Doak (below) looks best placed to take advantage, with the in-form scrum-half hoping to jump ahead of Connacht’s Caolin Blade in the depth chart, behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey. At out-half, Harry Byrne has certainly done enough recently to enter the conversation alongside Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, although it might not necessarily come at the expense of Ciarán Frawley, whose versatility may be needed given the uncertainty at full-back. If there is to be a new face at centre, it will likely be dictated by the extent of Robbie Henshaw’s knee injury. Munster’s Tom Farrell broke into the squad in November to win two caps, and his form for Munster has remained steady, even with the province struggling collectively. The final scope for a bolter appears to be in the back three, where there is a large degree of injury uncertainty. With Hansen definitely out, and Tommy O’Brien doubtful, the available right wing spot could be the opportunity Stockdale has been craving, even if it’s not on his preferred left side. Beyond the starting core, Farrell may have to go deep into his depth chart, with Nash’s shoulder injury making him a doubt and Jordan Larmour and Bolton both unavailable. With that in mind, two former Sevens internationals are making compelling cases, with Ulster’s Zac Ward continuing to flourish since converting over last year, while Joshua Kenny has scored a remarkable eight tries in seven games for Leinster. Both are uncapped and unproven, Farrell has previous in throwing inexperienced players in at the deep end. That Sevens influence could light a badly needed spark.