D’Arcy, O'Connell doubts for Russia

Rugby:Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy and secondrow Paul O'Connell both picked up hamstring strains during Saturday's victory over Australia in the Pool C at the World Cup in New Zealand.

D’Arcy lasted 49 minutes before being replaced by Ronan O’Gara, while O’Connell played the full 80 minutes of the 15-6 victory in Auckland

Both players had scans in New Zealand earlier today and will be monitored over the coming days. No decision on their availability for next Sunday’s game against Russia will be made until the team is announced at lunchtime (New Zealand time) on Friday.

The Irish squad enjoyed a down day following the transfer of their team base from Auckland to Lake Taupo, with O’Connell’s secondrow partner Donncha O’Callaghan delighted with the break.

“With a bit of a longer turnaround this week then we had for the Australia game, it’s great to be able to have that extra day to let the bumps and bruises settle before we hit the training pitch again,” said the Munster player.

“Some guys might head out for a look around Taupo. The area sounds a little bit like Queenstown, with some really good outdoor activities to help the lads relax. Others might be happy to hang around the hotel, so it’s good to have that flexibility and the down days have been great whether we do something together as a group or do our own thing.

“There was an incredible buzz around the lads when we were setting off from Auckland to come down here (Taupo). You sort of expect that after a good win, but something we have all been chatting about is that we need to remain focused on the job at hand.

“Our goal has always been to qualify from our pool and just because we had a big win on Saturday night, it guarantees us nothing. We have two games left against two teams who will challenge us physically across the park, so we want to get ourselves right for that.

O’Callaghan also made a special mention of the support that the team has experienced both on and off the field.

“The amount of green in the stadium was incredible on Saturday night in Eden Park, just as it was in New Plymouth. Even the days before the games, the numbers of expatriates and travelling Irish as well as local people, shops and bars that we saw supporting Ireland was great. It has all added to create incredible atmospheres and hopefully we can get similar support in Rotorua this weekend.”