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Ireland expect fully fit squad ahead of Italy clash, Oli Jager added to squad

The Ireland squad training in Blanchardstown on Wednesday morning
The Ireland squad training in Blanchardstown on Wednesday morning

Ireland expect to have a fully fit squad to pick from for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations match against Italy.

Garry Ringrose, who missed the opening-round win over France last weekend with a shoulder injury, did not train with the squad in Dublin today but is said to be "progressing nicely".

"We are pretty confident that everyone will be fit to train fully tomorrow," attack coach Mike Catt told reporters this afternoon.

"Calvin [Nash], Hugo [Keenan], Ringer is coming through nicely.

"He obviously didn't train today, but he is progressing nicely. We will see how they pull up over the next couple of days.

"There are a few guys obviously with a few bumps and bruises from Friday night.

"There are a couple that are still rumbling around.

"We will make our decision [later], but we are pretty confident that everybody will be fit to train fully tomorrow and obviously selection on Friday. There are a few bumps and bruises, but we are all right."

Munster prop Oli Jager, who was included as a 'training panellist’ for the pre-tournament camp in Portugal, has been added to the squad for Sunday’s game against Italy, who lost their opening game to England.

Asked about what the squad had taken from Italy's 27-24 defeat in Rome, Catt [above] said: "What I liked about the Italy performance was...they didn't have a great World Cup.

"I think they put their hands up to that as a group of players.

"And for them to turn around and put in a performance like that against a good England side was very impressive.


"They are obviously trying to impress the new coach [Gonzalo Quesada] as well and I just thought the way they played, they didn’t go away from their DNA in terms of they’ve played over the last couple of years.

"I think with Quesada they’ll tighten things up a little bit but when they get going, they caused some serious problems by scoring some very, very good tries.

"I think it’s a team that really work hard for each other, especially defensively, their work rate off the ball is huge.

"We need to make sure our bits and pieces right to try and break that down."

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