Back in action.

Ireland will be without the services of openside flanker Josh van der Flier for their clash against Wales on Saturday – but they have been boosted by the return of his fellow Leinster openside Dan Leavy.

Leavy played a key role in Ireland’s Grand Slam winning campaign last year, before being hampered by injuries this season. But he appears to have made a full recovery and will train fully with Ireland this week. Whether or not he will make the matchday squad though remains to be seen.

“Josh van der Flier, he’s withdrawn this week due to a groin injury,” said Irish scrum coach Greg Feek.

“Obviously with a short turn around as well it’s difficult to get those sorts of things right.”

“Dan Leavy is in the group so he will train with us fully and Ross Byrne has been let go for now. That’s pretty much the injury update. We got him (Leavy) in to make sure…obviously he’s been in the squad before we’ll just have to see how things go this afternoon with him.”

Joey Carbery and Rob Kearney meanwhile did some light training today with a decision on their fitness to be made later this week. Tadhg Beirne will also likely be fit and available for selection.

“To be honest, we’ll have to wait and see.” Feek said on the fitness of Kearney and Carbery

“At the moment, they’re ready to rock and roll. It was a precautionary thing for Rob last week so we’re hoping that he’s fine but again he’s the best judge of that at the end of the day. Getting out there with the boots on will be the key factor.

“Tadhg Beirne, he’s looking pretty good as well. If he gets through today and gets his detail right then more or less they have all got their hands up.”

[Irish Times]