Jimmy O’Brien could be drafted in for New Zealand after injuries pile up

"We'd have no issues if he had to come in."

Tadhg Furlong looked pretty dinged up after coming off the Stade de France pitch, on Saturday night, but he should be good for next weekend's World Cup quarter final. The news on James Lowe, Mack Hansen, and more, is less clear. Jimmy O'Brien could get his World Cup debut, yet. Lowe and Hansen started on either wing in Ireland's 36-14 win over Scotland but neither made it to the second half. Lowe took a 'bang to the eye' and, despite one TV report of him going straight to hospital, he was on the sidelines for the second half as Ireland topped Pool B with an emphatic win. Hansen passed a Head Injury Assessment and returned to play, only for a calf injury to end his involvement. We also had the uncomfortable of James Ryan needing work on what initially looked to be a damaged finger, only for Andy Farrell to say it was a wrist injury. He was able to finish out the match. Simon Easterby also provided updates on Robbie Henshaw and Jimmy O'Brien. [caption id="attachment_293830" align="aligncenter" width="640"] James Lowe and Mack Hansen on featured in the first half. (Credit: Sportsfile)[/caption]

Injury update on James Lowe, Mack Hansen and James Ryan

In Andy Farrell's post-match briefing, at Stade de France, one of the first questions, understandably, was about players that picked up knocks during the 22-point win.

"Obviously we will see how they pull up in the morning but Mack [Hansen] went off with a HIA and felt his calf straight away so we got him off. James Ryan has a bit of a knock on his wrist that we need to assess more, so we will see how he is," he said. "James Lowe got a bang in the eye, it shut and he couldn't see much, his vision was coming back towards the end of the game, which is good. A few more bangs and bruises that will need to be assessed tomorrow."

It is understood that Tadhg Furlong is one of those lads with 'bangs and bruises' and should be good to go for the quarter final. In a Sunday morning briefing with the media, Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby was asked for updates on the walking wounded. With such late kick-offs - 9pm in France - Easterby said the injury updates are less straight-forward given the short turnaround between these briefings. "It takes a bit of time to get things assessed and for things to settle. It will be within the next 24 to 48 hours before we get a proper idea on those guys." Ireland have two more injury concerns, ahead of the quarter final with New Zealand. Both Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls are battling hamstring niggles. Easterby said:

"As you may have seen, Robbie did some running at the captain's run. We understand a little bit more about their injuries - Robbie and Keith. We're looking to get them both out, running... if they get ruled out, Jimmy has been waiting in the wings, as such. He did an incredible job, last November... we'd have no issues if he had to come in."

On Ireland's sterling defensive effort, he said, "This team understands how important their defence is to the overall success of the team... we work incredibly hard on our discipline and not giving teams easy access." Easterby added that he would leave any proper catch-ups with old workmates, and friends, Joe Schmidt and Greg Feek until after the final whistle in Paris, next Saturday.

HOUSE OF RUGBY WITH DARREN CAVE & IAN MADIGAN

Related articles:

• Rob Kearney in stitches as Peter O'Mahony delivers emphatic post-match interview
• Ireland address Josh van der Flier stamping incident as damning footage emerges
• Siya Kolisi's post-match comments about Ireland were above and beyond
• Ian Madigan backs up Brian O'Driscoll training story about Garry Ringrose
• Ireland vs. Scotland: All the biggest moments, talking points and player ratings

---