Ireland will miss Hugo Keenan, but his injury could be ‘good’ for the team

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell believes being without first-choice full-back Hugo Keenan could work in their favour when they return to action against Wales in Dublin next weekend.

Keenan is battling with a knee injury which he sustained in Ireland’s 36-0 Six Nations triumph against Italy last Sunday and did not join his team-mates for a physical training session on Thursday.

The Leinsterman, who has made Ireland‘s number 15 shirt his own in recent years, has not been ruled out yet of the February 24 showdown with Wales at the Aviva Stadium but, if he is, it will present a rare opportunity to another player to start in that position.

Apart from Keenan, only Jimmy O’Brien, who is currently injured, and Michael Lowry, who is not in Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad, have started at full-back for Ireland since the end of 2020.

Not ruled out of Wales Test yet

“He didn’t train today, but he hasn’t been ruled out for the Welsh game yet,” said former Ireland captain O’Connell of Keenan. “He’s progressing with his rehabilitation. He was there at training today, and he took part in all the organisational bits.

“He plays a big role. He’s obviously injury-free for a very long time, he’s an excellent player.

“It’s probably good for us in some ways because it makes us play someone else there if he doesn’t make it.

“But I’m not sure yet where he’s at. He was around training today, so we’d be hopeful.”

First-choice fly-half Jack Crowley took over from Keenan during the latter part of the clash with the Azzurri, while Ciaran Frawley is also an option at the back for the Wales Test.

Jordan Larmour and Jacob Stockdale, who are part of the current squad, were tried at full-back during the early stages of Farrell’s stint as head coach but have had few opportunities since then.

Hugo Keenan out? Who starts at full-back for Ireland against Wales in the Six Nations?

“At full-back, you’re covering the backfield defensively, and he (Keenan) has a lot of work to do in attack as well,” said O’Connell.

“There’s a lot of IP (intellectual property) that we might miss out on if he wasn’t playing.

“He also plays a big leadership role for us. He’s a very smart guy, he’s a problem-solver within the group, he’s highly regarded within the group.

“Whether he’s there or not, he’ll continue to play that role.”

Defending Six Nations champions Ireland are sitting pretty at the top of the standings after notching back-to-back bonus-point victories against France and Italy.

Keenan was the only member of Farrell’s squad who did not participate in Thursday’s training session.

Experienced quartet on the mend

Skipper Peter O’Mahony, front-row Tadhg Furlong and midfield duo Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose all featured after their recent injuries.

O’Connell feels Ringrose, who is yet to play in this year’s Championship due to a shoulder problem, could be in action against Wales.

“It looks like it, he trained today, we didn’t do a massive session,” he said. “He’s in good shape.”

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