Ireland yesterday completed their preparations in Cork for their clash with Australia on Sunday with some line-out work on Inchydoney beach surrounded by a group of around 300 school children. The good news was that prop Peter Clohessy took part in training for the first time this week and is expected to be available for selection.
Second row Jeremy Davidson also appears to have shrugged off a back injury that saw him replaced at halftime in Ireland's World Cup match against the US last Saturday and he too took a prominent part in yesterday's beach activities.
Ireland's captain Dion O'Cuinneagain didn't however take any part in the proceedings due to a shoulder injury. He first received a knock against the Americans and suffered a reaction in training. The Irish management are not unduly concerned and his absence yesterday was described as precautionary.
The Irish squad flew back to Dublin from their base at Finnstown House yesterday evening and it was confirmed that they will not train this morning. However there may be some light work completed in the afternoon. The team to face Australia at Lansdowne Road on Sunday will be announced at lunch-time.
The expectation is that coach Warren Gatland will announce his strongest possible line-up, although he has offered no indication of the likely composition of the team other than to reiterate that Ireland will be doing their utmost to win. Meanwhile, Australian flanker Matt Cockbain remains a doubtful starter for Sunday's game. Cockbain, who suffered a knee injury while warming-up before Australia's win over Romania, was unable to train yesterday.
Cockbain actually sustained the problem in an accidental collision with fellow flanker David Wilson in the Australian dressing-room at Ravenhill, catching his studs in Wilson's laces and tweaking a thigh muscle.
The Australian management originally indicated that a decision on his fitness would be made yesterday but after consultation with the medical staff have decided to delay the decision until this morning.
"I'm able to run at 100 per cent but I'm having trouble with the explosive power when I start," Cockbain admitted. "I'm still hopeful of playing." Mark Connors will come into the side if Cockbain is ruled out.
Replacement prop Dan Crowley is still expected to take his place on the bench despite suffering a wrist injury during yesterday's session. Team doctor John Best confirmed Crowley's injury was not serious.
The Wallabies can ill afford to lose another prop, having already lost Patricio Noriega, on his way home after suffering shoulder ligament damage in training.
Rod Moore, who arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, has replaced Noriega in the 30-man squad. Crowley's ability to play both sides of the scrum is particularly important to the Australians, given that an injury to either Richard Harry or Andrew Blades would leave them in serious trouble.
Australia are not expected to train today but will have a run at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links pitch tomorrow morning, a session that will be closed.
