On the mend.

It hasn’t been a great few days for Irish Rugby following Saturday’s record defeat to England at Twickenham – but it’s not all doom and gloom for Irish fans, because we’ve got a positive fitness update for you.

Joey Carbery looks set to be fit in time for Ireland’s World Cup opener with Scotland next month, with Joe Schmidt confirming he’s progressing nicely following a worrying ankle injury.

The Munster outhalf was back on the pitch yesterday and could even feature against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week. If not he’ll be back for the Scotland game at the very latest.

“Yeah, he’s progressing well,” said Schmidt yesterday.

“He was doing a bit on the pitch today and I think in terms of following his rehab, that four- to six-week window is bang on.

“We just don’t know where he’s going to fall in that four-to-six window. If everything goes perfectly, he may get into that Welsh game back here in the Aviva.

“If it hasn’t gone perfectly then, at worst, I think he will be fully available for the Scotland game.

“If he gets put back a day or two, or even a week, I think it’s still going to be a really good chance that he gets a full week’s training [before the Scotland game]. It’s a Sunday game first up, so training on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.”

Great news for Ireland who need all the help they can get over the next few weeks.