The Ireland management remain hopeful that Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will recover from respective leg injuries picked up in Saturday’s 27-22 win over England at the Aviva Stadium in time for next Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations game against Scotland in Murrayfield (kick-off 3pm).
Hansen was temporarily replaced by Robbie Henshaw early on after hobbling to the sidelines. He continued to limp until being replaced in the fourth minute, only to re-emerge in the 15th minute and complete the game.
Bealham let out an audible roar in the 59th minute last Saturday when England replacement prop Joe Heyes landed on his lower right leg and hobbled off to be replaced by Thomas Clarkson. But word is that he was moving without impairment on Saturday evening.
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An IRFU update issued on Monday afternoon stated: “Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will be monitored over the coming days after receiving treatment for leg injuries during Saturday’s win over England and it is hoped that both players will be available.
The statement added: “Tadhg Furlong (calf) and Joe McCarthy (concussion) have both stepped up their rehabilitation programmes and a decision on their availability will be made later this week.”
Munster’s Thomas Ahern and Connacht’s Shayne Bolton have been added to the squad this week for their preparations in the IRFU High Performance Centre at the Sports Ireland Campus.
The team will be announced on Friday ahead of the squad’s departure to Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, Sean O’Brien and Mark Sexton have joined the coaching team this week and will form part of Mike Prendergast’s management for the Ireland ‘A’ international England in Bristol on Sunday, 23rd February (kick-off 1pm).
