Tadhg Furlong looks set to recover from injury for Ireland’s NatWest 6 Nations clash with Wales in nine days’ time, while second-rowers Iain Henderson and James Ryan will also be fit.
Prop Furlong lasted just three minutes of Ireland’s comprehensive 56-19 win over Italy in Round 2 of the Championship before being substituted after feeling a twinge in his hamstring.
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Although he didn’t take part in the main training session on Thursday, the 25-year-old did run at 75 per cent and complete change-of-direction work separately with a member of the coaching team.
And while Joe Schmidt is confident in the depth behind his tighthead, the Ireland boss was optimistic after
“Yeah, I think so,” said Schmidt when asked whether Furlong would be fit for the Wales game. “He’s gone really well.
“Tadhg ran 75 per cent speed today and did change of direction. He’s not far away from potentially being able to train fully on Tuesday.
“He’s a starting player for the Lions. That speaks volumes for the progress he has made over the last couple of years.
“At the same time, John Ryan and Andrew Porter have played a fair bit for us. What you’ve got to have is depth in your squad and you’ve got to have confidence in that depth and that’s what we’ll go to now.
“If it’s not required that’s all well and good but if it is, we’ll keep forging ahead with the players we have available.”