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Cian Healy injury blights narrow Ireland win over Samoa in World Cup warm-up
By PA
Cian Healy suffered an injury scare on the eve of Ireland’s World Cup squad announcement during an unconvincing 17-13 success over Samoa in rain-soaked Bayonne.
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Veteran prop Healy was helped from the field in obvious discomfort less than 24 hours before Andy Farrell names his final 33-man selection for the upcoming tournament in France.
Keith Earls was ruled out of Ireland’s final World Cup warm-up match against Samoa in Bayonne due to an injury niggle, handing a chance to fellow wing Jacob Stockdale.
Ireland led 7-0 at the midway point of the opening period following Jimmy O’Brien’s maiden Test try.
A fine Conor Murray tackle denied Samoa an early lead before Jack Crowley’s pinpoint cross-field kick allowed Hansen to gallop down the right wing and give full-back O’Brien a simple finish.
Ireland ended a disjointed first half 10-7 behind after Samoan full-back Duncan Paia’aua intercepted a Stuart McCloskey pass inside his own half to brilliantly race clear and dive over.
Fly-half Lima Sopoaga added the conversion and a subsequent penalty.
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The turnaround on the scoreboard came after Farrell’s men suffered a setback in the 21st minute when hobbling prop Cian Healy was helped from the field by medical staff in obvious discomfort.
Ireland’s performance was far from convincing, and they still trailed with an hour played.
A second penalty from former Wasps fly-half Sopoaga stretched Samoa’s advantage before Stockdale’s kick over the top was gleefully dotted down by the diving Conor Murray.
However, Crowley’s wayward conversion left Ireland a point behind at 13-12.
Replacement hooker Rob Herring claimed Ireland’s third try of the evening and they held on for an unconvincing 17-13 success.
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Goodness gracious that was close. Ireland should turn up when they need to against South Africa and Scotland. They need to improve quickly though to claim the title
If this is the form going into the WC, we'll get no further than the usual...not a No.1 ranked side performance by a LONG way.
Didn't really look like the number one ranked side in the world at the moment....
Well I just watched a second string side go out in the lashing rain and play against an aggressive highly motivated Samoan team, that pushed them hard until the end, come back and hold on to get the win. Clearly you were watching someone else.
That was scary, too scary