IRELAND centre Jonathan Bell, under treatment for a rib injury, said yesterday that he is very confident he will be fit to play against England at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
And Bell's confidence seemed well founded as was he able to train, without any apparent difficulty, with the rest of the squad at the University of Limerick ground yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, flanker David Corkery, who has a broken bone in the third finger of his right hand, is also very confident about his chances. But Corkery will not take part in any physical contact training during the week as the finger is in a splint. Corkery didn't train yesterday nor did loose head prop Nick Popplewell. He has a slight hamstring injury and, while there is no doubt about his fitness for the match, his absence from the session was basically precautionary.
When the team was announced on Sunday the Ireland manager Pat Whelan revealed that Bell damaged a rib cartilage playing for Northampton against Saracens last Saturday and that there was anxiety about his fitness. But that anxiety eased yesterday. In view of the doubt about Bell, Kurt McQuilkin was named in a panel of seven replacements.
Bell told Whelan on Sunday night that he would be able to take part in the physical contact training and he proceeded to prove his point during the session yesterday. Bell said: "I feel very confident that I will be fit to play. I got a similar injury at the start of the season, but this is nothing as bad. I came off at half time in the match on Saturday when I felt a bit sore."
Whelan said that Bell's fitness will be monitored during the week and that a definite decision will be made on Thursday. If Bell is ruled out then McQuilkin will come into the side. If Bell plays then McQuilkin will probably fill the vacancy at centre in the A side to meet England. It is possible, however, that McQuilkin could be on the bench this Saturday if there is any doubt that Bell may not last the match.
"The decision on that, and any outstanding issues with regard to the fitness of players, will be taken on Thursday when we should know the exact position," said Whelan.
Corkery watched from the sidelines as his colleagues trained under coaching adviser Brian Ashton and forward coach Mike Brewer. Corkery said: "I feel I will be fit to play, but I have been advised not to do any physical contact training. There is no point in possibly aggravating the injury. "The medical advice we have been given is that David Corkery will be fit to play and I am quite confident he will," said Whelan.
Popplewell said that he has had some slight discomfort with the left hamstring for a few weeks but added: "It is nothing to worry about and I expect to be able to take a full part in the training for the rest of the week."
Second row Paddy Johns sustained a cut on his head during training and it necessitated a stitch or two, while three members of the A side to meet England in Donnybrook on Friday did not train. They were second row Mick Galwey, flanker Eddie Halvey and scrum half Stephen McIvor. Galwey represents the only serious doubt among that trio. He has a back injury and did not report to the squad until the late afternoon.
""There is a doubt about Mick Galwey," said Whelan. Halvey has an ankle injury sustained while playing for Shannon against Garryowen last Saturday and McIvor has a slight hamstring injury which was sustained in the same match. Ireland A out half Paul Burke got a finger in his left eye yesterday and was taken to hospital last night for examination. He said: "It is very sore at the moment but I hope it will be alright."
Ashton, speaking about coaching the side against a country to which he was once assistant coach, said: "If you had asked me five or six weeks ago that I would be in this position, I would have laughed at you. But it is now my business to see that England go down on Saturday."
He is, of course, well versed in the capabilities of the England players from his time with Bath and has been studying the video of England's win over Scotland last Saturday week very closely. "If you give England time and space to build up a momentum they are a dangerous side. They have a big physical pack that can take its toll if you allow that to happen. They have pace out wide - and Will Carling seems to be rejuvenated in the centre. They are a side who develop their game on confidence, we must stop them developing that confidence."
He said that he had not spoken to his opposite number Jack Rowell for several weeks: "I saw him last Saturday at the BathLeicester match but I think he avoided me.
"I feel the win over Wales has helped the Irish side a great deal. Obviously it will help their confidence and prove to be the key to unlocking the door to an improvement in Irish fortunes. They know they almost let it slip against Wales but the players know there - are areas in the game in which we need to improve. That is our objective this week."
The Ireland players will train in Limerick until Thursday and then travel to Dublin that afternoon.
