Six Nations:Declan Kidney will wait until tomorrow afternoon before making a final decision on Gordon D'Arcy's inclusion against Scotland. D'Arcy came through a training session this afternoon unscathed and is expected to be fit for the Six Nations match at Croke Park.
But the Irish medical team will assess D’Arcy’s injury again tomorrow morning to determine whether there has been any adverse reaction overnight. D’Arcy sustained “deep bruising” to his knee against Wales last weekend and had to be helped from the Croke Park pitch.
Barring a setback, however, D'Arcy will take his place alongside captain Brian O’Driscoll in the Irish midfield for the Triple Crown match and final game at GAA headquarters. If he deemed unavailable for selection, Ulster’s Paddy Wallace will deputise.
“D’Arcy will continue to be monitorted by the Ireland medical team to ensure there is no reaction to today’s training session," the IRFU said this evening. “A decision his fitness for the game will be made tomorrow following the final run out in Croke Park.”
Tommy Bowe, meanwhile, insists a Triple Crown would be a satisfactory return a year after Ireland completed the Grand Slam. France look destined Kidney’s side as Grand Slam champions when they meet England in Paris and can even afford to lose but retain the title thanks to their vastly superior points difference.
Bowe admits following up last season’s heroics, when Ireland swept all before them and then supplied a record number of players to the Lions tour, was always going to be challenging. The Ospreys winger, however, believes they can be content with a sixth runners-up spot this decade.
“After the success of last year when we won the Grand Slam and had so many players involved in the Lions, people were probably expecting us to have bit of a downer season,” he said. “We were very disappointed with the loss against France but to come back from that in a season when people were expecting us to go downhill will be great.
“We’ll come out of it well if we finish with a Triple Crown. Winning the Triple Crown would be an amazing achievement. They’ve come thick and fast over the last few years but it’s still a great achievement.
“The title’s obviously out of our grasp because even if France were to lose to England we’re behind on points difference, but we’d take the Triple Crown.”
A hallmark of Ireland’s championship has been their ruthlessness with the whitewash at their mercy. They may not have generated as many try-scoring chances as previous years but have finished those that have appeared with aplomb, crossing nine times with only leaders France scoring more.
The wingers have led the assault, Bowe touching down twice and Keith Earls three times to become the tournament’s top try-scorer heading into the final round.
“I’m not sure if we’re creating more chances but we are being a lot more clinical. It’s well known we have a backline of immense talent,” he said. “We have a centre partnership in Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy that is renowned throughout the world.
“Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara are two quality outside-halves vying for the position and in the back three there is so much competition. Guys like myself and Keith are under pressure to perform in every match.
“We’re both good finishers so if we get a sniff we like to think we’ll finish chances off.”