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Gibson-Park and Healy withdrawn from Ireland line-up
By Kim Ekin
Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out with a hamstring injury with Ireland forced into making a late change for their Guinness Six Nations Championship clash against Wales in Cardiff.
Conor Murray is now due to start and win his 101st cap, with Craig Casey coming onto the bench. Ireland were already without Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw.
Cian Healy was also a late withdrawal, with Munster's David Kilcoyne called up to the bench as loosehead cover.
Meanwhile head coach Andy Farrell says Ireland’s preparation for a shot at Guinness Six Nations glory is the best he has ever seen as his side bid to begin the championship with a bang.
With plenty of expectation on his players and a World Cup on the horizon, head coach Farrell believes solid foundations have been laid.
Yet the Englishman insists he is not looking beyond Warren Gatland’s men and a tricky Cardiff opener at the start of a monumental year.
“We judge ourselves on our preparation and our preparation has been top-drawer,” he said.
“It’s been as good as I’ve seen it in regards to getting ready for any type of competition.
“Hopefully that continues and it can translate into a performance. It doesn’t really get any tougher than Wales first up.”
Asked what message he had given his players going into 2023, he replied: “Honestly? Just Wales. Just Wales. It’s a tough old game, you know?
“We’d love to start this tournament off with a bang but we know how difficult that is. We’ve full concentration on this game.”
Ireland won nine of 11 fixtures in 2022, including clinching a Triple Crown, registering a historic series success in New Zealand and toppling world champions South Africa.
additional reporting PA
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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