Major doubts over key Ireland duo ahead of World Cup quarter-final

Jared Wright 10 Oct 2023 2:00 PM

Ireland's James Ryan applauds the fans after the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool B match at the Stade de France in Paris

Ireland could be without two of their key players for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Lock James Ryan and winger Mack Hansen both missed training on Tuesday and are now in doubt for the crunch clash with New Zealand.

Ryan was absent from the session as he returned to Dublin for a scan on the hand injury he sustained in Ireland’s final pool game against Scotland.

Ireland issue squad update

Hansen, meanwhile, watched Ireland‘s session from the stands.

There is some more positive news for Andy Farrell, with wingers James Lowe and Keith Earls back training with the squad, as is centre Robbie Henshaw.

Hansen passed his head injury assessment after he left the pitch on Saturday against Scotland, but his return was short-lived as he sustained a calf problem.

He did start the training on Tuesday but moved down the pitch and into the dugout later in the session.

As for Lowe, the Leinster winger was withdrawn at half-time in the victory over Gregor Townsend’s side due to an eye issue.

He was not ready for full contact on Tuesday but did participate in the session.

Test centurion Earls is in contention to replace Hansen if he does not recover in time. The Munster veteran had a hamstring niggle that meant he missed the win over Scotland.

Finally, centre Henshaw looks to be returning ahead of schedule from his own hamstring injury. The centre also missed Ireland’s last World Cup pool fixture, and there were fears he could be replaced in the squad with an initial return scheduled for the semi-finals.