James Ryan and Mack Hansen injury doubts for Ireland against New Zealand
By Ed Elliot, PA, Paris
James Ryan and Mack Hansen are major doubts for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand after missing training on Tuesday.
Lock Ryan was absent from the session on the northern outskirts of Paris, while wing Hansen watched on from the stands.
In more positive news for Andy Farrell, wings James Lowe and Keith Earls and centre Robbie Henshaw did participate.
Injured wing Mack Hansen watched from the stands as Ireland trained ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand, while James Ryan is also a major doubt after being absent from the session. James Lowe, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw were all involved #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/i3JcF4z4CI
— Edward Elliot (@EdwardJElliot) October 10, 2023
Head coach Farrell will on Wednesday name his team for Saturday evening’s last-eight showdown with the All Blacks at Stade de France.
Vice-captain Ryan sustained a hand issue in his side’s 36-14 weekend win over Scotland and was due to see a specialist on Monday.
The PA news agency understands the 27-year-old has returned to Dublin for a scan.
Hansen went off for a head injury assessment against the Scots and then sustained a calf problem just minutes after returning to the field.
The Connacht back began the morning training session at Stade des Fauvettes in the terraces then moved down to a pitch-side dugout before media departed.
Lowe was withdrawn at half-time in the victory over Gregor Townsend’s side due to an eye issue. The Leinster player wore a white bib for the session to indicate he was not ready for full contact.
Veteran Earls could be in line to replace Hansen after overcoming the hamstring niggle which ruled him out against the Scots.
The 36-year-old seemed in good spirits and allayed fears about his fitness when speaking to the press on Monday.
Meanwhile, Henshaw appears to be making a quicker than expected recovery from his own hamstring issue after initial estimates suggested he would be sidelined until at least the semi-final stage of the tournament.
Team manager Mick Kearney said on Monday that no member of the 33-man squad had been ruled out.
Ireland will not provide a further squad fitness update to media until after Farrell’s team announcement, which has been brought forward by 24 hours.
The Englishman expressed displeasure with the condition of the pitch at Ireland’s training base.
He raised concerns about sprinklers on the surface of the field potentially causing further injuries to players and proceeded to cover them with cones.
