Rónan Kelleher on course to return as Ireland ramp up preparations for All Blacks

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 11-01 00:15

Hooker Rónan Kelleher is on course to be fit for Ireland's Test match against New Zealand on Friday week.

The Leinster front row suffered an ankle injury on 5 October against Benetton, and was initially given a four to six-week recovery timeline following an operation.

With Dan Sheehan out until the New Year and Rob Herring yet to play for Ulster this season, the likely availability of the 26-year-old is a big boost for the Six Nations champions.

Additionally, Leinster out-half Ciarán Frawley (ankle) and Connacht winger Mack Hansen (hip), who both missed the last round of URC games, are expected to be fit.

"Everyone was good today, we're really pleased.

"The medics have done a great job on top of the provincial stuff and then the transition into national camp has been seamless in terms of those players coming in with a couple of niggles.

Mack Hansen missed the last two rounds of URC action

"So far so good and hopefully we will have a full deck to train with tomorrow and leading into next week.

"[Mack] is progressing really well. Like Rónan and Rob Herring and a few others, they are working incredibly hard and come into camp in a good place and continue that progression."

Meanwhile, Easterby said that Peter O'Mahony is likely to join up with the squad providing he comes through Munster's game against the All Blacks XV on Saturday with no problems after a hamstring injury.

"Pete's position was that we wanted to make sure he gets game time and he'll do that this weekend in the Munster jersey and hopefully he'll come into camp if he gets through the weekend," said Easterby, who will take over as interim head coach after the November internationals when Andy Farrell begins his Lions duties.

We're delighted to announce the return of the Men's Interprovincial 'A' Championship which will kick off next month! ⬇️#IrishRugby

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 31, 2024

Elsewhere, the IRFU has announced the return of the 'A' Interprovincial Men’s Championship, which will kick off next month.

The times and dates of the opening three rounds of the championship before Christmas have been confirmed, with a similar points-scoring system as used in the URC.

A championship winner will be declared after the final round of matches in May and the IRFU will commission a legacy trophy to mark the 150th anniversary celebrations.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.


ALSO READ

Gold prices see drop in local and international markets

Listen to article In a major shift in the local gold market, the price of 24-carat gold per tola dec...

Bank of England cuts interest rate as UK inflation hits three-year low

The Bank of England on Thursday said it was cutting its key interest further after UK inflation hit ...

US Fed Reserve to cut rates amid economic uncertainty under second Trump term

The US Federal Reserve is expected to reduce its benchmark policy rate by a quarter of a percentage ...

Last 28th Māori Battalion veteran Sir Bom Gillies dies, aged 99

Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, has died. He was 99...

RSA seeks new pokie consent after 'honest mistake'

Whakatāne's Returned Services Association has made a plea to council for help to reopen its gaming r...

Drugs, theft, safety fears: Tourism village's emergency housing motel impacts

A claim that emergency housing motels have not impacted tourism in Rotorua has been rubbished by one...