Ireland resume their preparations for Welsh game

Just what role, if any, Paul O'Connell will be able to play will be decided when Ireland resume training this morning ahead of Saturday's Six Nations match against Wales at the Aviva stadium.

The Irish captain missed Sunday's 28-6 victory over Scotland, forced to withdraw on the morning of the game with a chest infection, to be replaced by Dan Tuohy. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said that he expected O'Connell to be back training fully by Thursday and he will be guided by medical opinion concerning the right course of action for the secondrow.

A 34-man squad reconvened at Carton House last night and will have a first training session ahead of the Welsh match. The six-day turnaround presents its own problems but apart from bumps and bruises there are no serious injury concerns. A full medical update will be provided at lunch-time today.

One player who won’t be present is Leinster and Ireland flanker Kevin McLaughlin who this week will be looking forward to getting some game time under his belt when the province fly to Italy to take on Zebre in a Pro12 match on Sunday.

McLaughlin has played less than two hours of competitive rugby since sustaining a concussion last November and then suffering a thumb injury. He spoke to Schmidt when he wasn’t named in the Irish coach’s extended squad. The New Zealander explained that he wanted to see a player whom he regards very highly concentrate on getting his fitness and form back.

Players like Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy have edged past McLaughlin in his absence but now the talented flanker has an opportunity to re-stake his claim.

Return date
At yesterday's media briefing, Leinster coach Matt O'Connor confirmed Sean O'Brien's recent shoulder operation was a success but said there was no alteration to his proposed return date as of now. He also explained that Leinster were still exploring the possibility of signing a replacement for former Wallaby international Lote Tuqiri.

Ireland Women’s Sevens coach Jon Skurr has announced a squad for the Atlanta Sevens which takes place on Saturday and Sunday week. The travelling panel, under the captaincy of Blackrock’s Shannon Houston, includes three players who have been recruited as part of the IRFU’s talent identification programme.

IRELAND WOMEN'S SEVENS (squad): A Naughton (Talent ID Programme); A Doyle (Munster), C Arthurs (Connacht), C Keohane (Munster), E Ryan (Talent ID Programme), L O'Mahony (Munster), L Walsh (Talent ID Programme), M Williams (Exiles), N Ni Dhroma (Coanncht), N Cronin (Munster), N Caughey (Ulster), S Houston (Leinster), S Barrett (Munster), S Vaughan (Leinster).