Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan expected to be fit in time for the World Cup

By Ed Elliot, PA, Bayonne

Andy Farrell expects Dan Sheehan to be fit for Ireland’s World Cup campaign after revealing his first-choice hooker sprained a foot ligament against England.

Sheehan limped off shortly before half-time in the 29-10 win over Steve Borthwick’s side five days ago to leave his country anxiously awaiting a full diagnosis.

With Ireland’s squad in Bayonne ahead of Saturday’s final warm-up match against Samoa, the 24-year-old remains in Dublin undergoing treatment.

Head coach Farrell, who has selected Ulster rookie Tom Stewart to start at number two this weekend, had been braced for bad news but provided a positive update on Sheehan’s condition.

“He’s good, yeah,” Farrell said. “He’s got a sprain in his foot, in a ligament in his foot.

“That’s better than expected, we expected it to be (more serious).

“As with all injuries, we’ll see how it develops over the period of time but we expect him to be fit for the World Cup.”

Ireland begin the tournament on September 9 against Romania in Bordeaux, with their final 33-man squad scheduled to be announced on Monday.

In Sheehan’s absence, Belfast-born Stewart has been handed a full Test debut for the appointment with Samoa at Stade Jean Dauger.

The 22-year-old won his maiden cap as a replacement in the 33-17 victory over Italy at the start of the month and now has another opportunity to further impress Farrell.

“I like most things that I’ve seen,” Farrell said of Stewart.

“I see a determined young man who is willing to try to understand first and foremost what it takes to thrive in an international environment and it’s tough for a young kid coming in, especially in that type of position. But he’s certainly done that.

“He is a determined kid who quietly goes about his job but he certainly puts a lot of confidence into the coaching staff and the rest of his team-mates by the way that he plays.

“So hopefully that transfers. I suppose that’s the main thing, just being himself at the weekend because he’s a good player.”

Hooker is potentially Farrell’s biggest headache going into the World Cup.

Rob Herring will provide back-up for club-mate Stewart on Saturday in order to prevent taking risks with Ronan Kelleher, while uncapped Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron is also with the group in south-west France.

Leinster player Kelleher has not featured this summer amid a hamstring issue but Farrell remains optimistic.

“As far as Ronan is concerned, he’s doing great, he’s flying around the place this week,” said Farrell.

“If it was say a World Cup semi-final or final, at a push I’m sure we would have got him over the line this week, but there is no need to do that.”

Farrell has made 12 personnel changes from the team which began against England.

Asked about areas for improvement, he replied: “Consistency, isn’t it?

“That’s why we’re playing the warm-up games, to make sure we get a bit of rust out and show some pictures to one another of what’s acceptable and what’s not.

“We’re here to take a step forward in our development as a team.”