Ireland skipper Caelan Doris was unable to take part in training with the squad on Friday with over a week to go until the resumption of the Six Nations.
The team continue their quest to win a third championship in a row by taking on Wales, who sit bottom of the table after two heavy defeats.
Wales dispensed with Warren Gatland as head coach earlier this week but despite their recent losing streak, Ireland are unlikely to bring a heavily changed team to Cardiff on Saturday week.
Doubts had emerged over Caelan Doris’ availability against Wales. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Although Doris is having his work load managed ahead of that tie, he is still set to feature against the Welsh.
Ireland’s head of athletic performance Aled Walters revealed on Friday that Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy are both poised to return.
Tadhg Furlong, who has been managing a calf problem, remains a doubt and may yet be unavailable for Cardiff.
Tadhg Furlong remains a doubt for Ireland even as fears ease over Caelan Doris. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
‘Mack and Joe are training fully, they’re good,’ Walters informed media on Friday.
‘It’s simply a management piece for Tadhg and Caelan. These weeks are great, you get to manage some guys. Some need a push, some need to be pulled back a little bit. That’s just the management piece.
‘It’s just general [for Doris], they’ve been two pretty attritional Test matches, haven’t they? The way Caelan plays, you’re going to pick up little bangs and bruises. It’s just that.’
Mack Hansen is closing in on an Ireland return against Wales. Pic: Sportsfile
On Furlong specifically, he added: ‘I think we’ll need to make a call during the week, he’s got a bit of work to do. But we’d be anticipating that, if he’s not there, he’s close anyway.’
With Gatland gone, Cardiff boss Matt Sheratt is will be in charge for the hosts at the Principality Stadium.
If Ireland can come away with a win, then they can secure the Triple Crown for the third year in succession.
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