Ireland skipper Rory Best must prove fitness ahead of Scotland clash
Tuesday 15 March 2016 15:54, UK
Ireland captain Rory Best will have to prove his fitness on Thursday, if he is to play in Saturday's Six Nations finale against Scotland.
The Ulster hooker sat out training on Tuesday with a calf issue, but Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy has insisted that it was just a precautionary move.
It is expected that Best will recover in time for the encounter at the Aviva Stadium, while Cian Healy and Eoin Reddan have also returned to training.
Prop Healy missed last weekend's 58-15 win over Italy after suffering a hamstring problem, while scrum-half Reddan missed out with a calf injury. But, both players are now able to return to face Scotland.
"Rory Best sat out of training. He trained on Monday and came off. He was a little tight in the calf at the end of training," kicking coach Murphy said.
"It was judged not to train him and he should be ready to train on Thursday."
Murphy revealed that the Ireland medical staff are expecting Best, who has 93 caps to his name, to regain full fitness in time to take on Scotland.
However, full-back Rob Kearney will miss out once again with a hamstring problem, meaning Simon Zebo will continue in the team.
Defending champions Ireland will be looking to earn just a second win of this year's championship. A draw with Wales, coupled with defeats to France and England, ended any hopes of a third successive Six Nations title.
Ireland could name an unchanged XV against Scotland, should Best be deemed fit enough.
