Mack Hansen had his right calf heavily strapped but took a full part in the Ireland captain's run ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
The Connacht winger suffered an injury in last weekend’s Pool B victory over Scotland but was named to start the game on Wednesday.
"Yeah, everybody's fit, Mack looking spritely as ever, so he’s gone well," backs coach Mike Catt told reporters in Paris.
"He’s all good to run freely."
Lock James Ryan, who is not in the 23-man squad, also took part in today’s session after having been ruled out of contention with a wrist injury earlier in the week. Catt subsequently confirmed that the Leinster forward had a procedure on his wrist.
"James is doing really well, Robbie Henshaw [hamstring] and James were out there at training, they are progressing well. They’ll be available for next week [if Ireland win]."
Mike Catt gives positive update on Mack Hansen following captain's run. Robbie Henshaw and James Ryan also trained, the latter having undergone a procedure on his wrist #rwc2023 pic.twitter.com/jdyOinQe0c
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 13, 2023
Since losing a series to Ireland in the summer of 2022, New Zealand have won the shortened Rugby Championship and after an opening-round defeat to France, have scored 36 tries in wins over Namibia, Italy and Uruguay.
"What we've seen is the good All Blacks of old," said Catt, a World Cup winner with England in 2003.
"They are exceptionally dangerous with ball in hand. Joe [Schmidt] has definitely brought a physicality at the breakdown and their ball-carrying.
New Zealand journalist asks Mike Catt if Ireland had a photographer at All Blacks training on Thursday... Catt has no idea.#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/6suJ4xoWDQ
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 13, 2023
"It was something Joe was massively passionate about with Ireland as well. Especially in the wide breakdowns, Rieko Ioane, these guys are big guys and they put a lot of pressure in those areas, it’s making sure we match them physically.
"They’ve been tactically good in the same breath.
"Across the board, they’ve got a hell of a lot of experience, even coming off the bench, Sam Whitelock, these guys that have got hundreds of caps.
"They know exactly what they need to do to win these big occasions. It’s going to be a great Test match and we are looking forward to it."
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadgh Beirne, Iain Henderson; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O'Brien.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (capt), Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Samuel Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
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Follow a live blog of Ireland v New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with kick-off 8pm. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
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