Injury update

Ireland made three from three in their Rugby World Cup warm-up games this evening with a 17-13 win over Samoa in Bayonne.

It was far from easy for Andy Farrell’s side, with Samoa giving them a real test and matching Ireland both physically and at set-piece in difficult conditions.

Ireland will name their final 33-man Rugby World Cup squad tomorrow, but Farrell could be forced into some reshuffling this evening with some key injury concerns following tonight’s win.

The big one of course is Cian Healy who was forced off in the first half with what seemed to be a calf problem. The loosehead prop was seen in a moon boot and was on crutches shortly after which looks to be a real concern.

“I saw what you saw,” Farrell said.

“He pulled up sharp, didn’t he? And struggled to get off the field. We’ll try and get that assessed as soon as we possibly can, first thing in the morning”

Farrell did note, in some positive news, that loosehead Dave Kilcoyne is “fine” and “ready to go” which will provide Ireland with cover if Healy doesn’t make it to France.

Keith Earls was named in the original starting line-up for this evening but was forced to pull out before the game with Jacob Stockdale replacing him, but it appears it’s nothing serious.

“No issue whatsoever [with Earls], he’ll be fit and ready to go,” Farrell said.

Jimmy O’Brien also looked to be in a spot of bother with his shoulder, raising concerns as it’s an issue he has had in the past. But it appears this is an entirely new problem.

“Jimmy had a bang on his shoulder, he’s had a problem with his shoulder before but this is not the same one,” Farrell said.

“It’s a fresh one but again, it’s how people wake up [tomorrow] isn’t it?

“It was always gonna be like this. Nothing ever goes smoothly.