Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is increasingly optimistic about Dan Sheehan's injury recovery time-line ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup.
Sheehan damaged ligaments in his foot in Ireland’s warm-up victory over England at the Aviva Stadium and there had been fears that the injury could see him miss out on the tournament.
However, he was included in Farrell’s final World Cup squad and while he may not be risked in Ireland’s opening game against Romania next Saturday, Farrell confirmed that the hooker is further along in his recovery that he had expected him to be.
Andy Farrell offered some injury updates from the French city of Tours this morning:
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 2, 2023
- Dan Sheehan ("ahead of schedule")
- Jack Conan ("trained yesterday")
- Ronan Kelleher ("fit to go") #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/127FN4z5m0
"He’s flying it, he’s ahead of schedule to where he should be," the Ireland head coach said. "So all things are pointing in a positive direction but at the stage that we’re at, all things need to align.
"He’s back running well ahead of schedule. It all starts off on AlterG [an anti-gravity treadmill] to see whether they can cope with running et cetera.
"He was back running last week, he was flying along yesterday with the physios and he’s certainly bullish within himself and so are the medics as well."
There were also positive updates on the fitness of Jack Conan and Ronan Kelleher.
Conan has been carrying a foot injury, while Kelleher looks to have recovered from a hamstring issue.
Farrell said: "Jack trained yesterday and obviously end-stage rehab is always about being able to back it up the next day, so we’ll so how that goes today.
"Ronan was fit last week so he’s certainly fit to go. He did a full session yesterday so he’ll back that up today."
Meanwhile, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is looking forward to a potential return to action against Romania.
The out-half has completed the three-match suspension that saw him miss all of Ireland's warm-up matches and could start in the No 10 shirt in their Pool B opener in Bordeaux.
"It's good just to be back available for selection and we’ll see how the next few days go," said Sexton.
"Hopefully I can get in some match minutes but we’ll see. We know it’s obviously a tough pool and I want to get some games in, but it’s what’s right for the team as well. I’m just looking forward to it now."
Earlier in the day Ireland were welcomed by 12,000 people at a local stadium in Tours, which will be their base for the pool stage of the tournament.
The Stade de la Vallée du Cher, home to Tours FC, was packed as locals had snapped up tickets for a glimpse of the world’s number one side.
The squad was introduced to the crowd, with singers and a brass band all adding to the atmosphere.
The players ran out to huge cheers and engaged with the crowd, clapping and singing along as their squad photo was being taken.
Relishing the reception, the players got the fans going by joining in with the fun, and spent up to an hour signing autographs and posing for photographs.
However a planned open training session had to be abandoned after the playing surface was found to have been damaged by a fungus infestation.
"The pitch at the Cher Valley stadium suffered some damage in recent days, caused by a fungus," read a statement from the World Cup organisers.
"Player welfare is at the heart of France 2023's priorities, and with just a few days to go before the Irish team begins its tournament, it has been decided not to take any risks by reducing the training scheduled for Saturday 2 September.
"Our thanks go to the Irish team, who will nonetheless be meeting the Tours public, who turned out in numbers to welcome them."
