Paul O’Connell is poised for a return to the Ireland squad when the teams are announced today, in time for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
The Ireland captain missed his side’s 28-6 victory over Scotland last weekend with a heavy chest infection but has recovered in readiness for the second round of matches.
Team manager Mick Kearney said: “All the signs are that he will be fit and raring to go. We would be very confident [of him playing against Wales].
“Paul was quite vocal at Monday night’s review meeting and again out on the pitch before they started to train on Tuesday.”
O’Connell is likely to be recalled alongside Gordon D’Arcy after the Leinster inside centre also missed the Scotland game through illness, otherwise, the Irish starting XV looks set to be unchanged.
This also means Ulster flanker Chris Henry will stick to the ball-stealing strengths that worked so well against the Scots.
Henry was put into Ireland’s back-row to replace Sean O’Brien, who is currently out with a shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old said he will not try to imitate O’Brien’s aggressive style, but will rather stick to his personal breakdown abilities. “There’s always going to be a lot of talk about Sean not being there, he’s one of the best in the world,” said Henry.
“The only way I can approach it is to say, ‘yes he’s an unbelievable player, but I have to think maybe I can add something a little bit different, maybe there are certain aspects of the game I can bring that he can’t’.
“Hopefully that can be enough to stay in the side, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
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