Horan is Ireland's biggest concern

RUGBY NEWS : A NUMBER of Ireland players took a limited or no part in the squad’s first training session at the University of…

RUGBY NEWS: A NUMBER of Ireland players took a limited or no part in the squad's first training session at the University of Limerick yesterday in preparation for the upcoming November Test series against Australia, Fiji and South Africa.

Gordon D’Arcy, Tommy Bowe, Leo Cullen and David Wallace sat out the session as they rested a number of what have been described as minor ailments arising from the weekend matches.

Rob Kearney (hamstring strain), Brian O’Driscoll (calf), Jerry Flannery (calf) and Tony Buckley (calf) did some structured on-field rehabilitation under the supervision of the medical team.

The most serious concern for Ireland coach Declan Kidney is prop Marcus Horan who was not in camp as he is undergoing a series of tests that will be completed this week.

His availability for the Guinness series will be determined when the results of those tests are known.

The Ireland A team to play Tonga and a 30-man squad for the Test match against Australia will be announced at the end of the camp on Friday afternoon.

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John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer