With the World Cup in full swing, it could be easy to forget about the rugby going on back home.
There's just three weeks to go until the four Irish provinces get their BKT United Rugby Championship campaigns under way, with Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster all ramping up their pre-season schedules.
For the Irish management team, keeping tabs on what the provinces are up to, even in their friendlies, remains a big priority. With no major injuries to speak of in their opening three games they've had a remarkable run of luck so far in the tournament, but they're prepared for it to change in an instant.
This afternoon Munster host the Barbarians at Thomond Park, while Ulster face Benetton in Italy. Connacht recorded a big win away to Edinburgh on Friday night, while Leinster have picked up a pair of Interpro wins in recent weeks.
"There was a lot of conversations with the provinces during pre-season as to how we would keep the players fit that are not in the World Cup squad," team manager Mick Kearney said this afternoon.
"So the likes of, whether it be Jamie Osborne or Gavin Coombes, Kieran Treadwell, there's guys that are getting regular game time which is brilliant because initially I think the provinces might have said 'we may not start playing pre-season games until a little bit later’.
"So it’s really good from our point of view that these guys are getting game time and will actually be match fit if they’re called in which is always a possibility."
Kearney revealed the support staff are also closely monitoring the fitness of Cian Healy.
The veteran loosehead missed out on the 33-man squad after suffering an ankle injury during the side's final warm-up game against Samoa in Bayonne, but this week confirmed he's ahead of schedule with his recovery.
And Kearney (above) says the 125 cap prop would be in contention to be brought into the group if they picked up a front row injury.
"The medics and S&C [strength and conditioning coaches] would be in regular contact with Cian and I'm sure other players back home as well, to see how they're fitness levels are so I think it’s great to see Cian back training and training well.
"Possibly later in the tournament if we get an injury Cian would be a great addition if he was fully fit.
"So I would say it’s good to see him back training but it will require an injury to another player for Cian to be available to come in."
The squad have been back training since Thursday as they continue their bye-week, ahead of the Pool B decider with Scotland on 7 October.
"We got back here late Wednesday evening, had a walk through on Thursday so we effectively mirrored Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday on Thursday, Friday and today, so a nice walk through organisational day on Thursday and then full days yesterday and today.
"All 33 trained, which is great and all in good form, so a great position to be in after four weeks in France and a long pre-season as well. To have 33 fit players is just fantastic from our point of view."
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