Ireland v New Zealand: Ryan to see specialist for hand injury, Lowe & Hansen 'improving'
- Published
Ryan received treatment on his hand injury after coming off the bench in Ireland's win over Scotland on Saturday
Ireland second row James Ryan will see a specialist about his hand injury but has not been ruled out of the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
Ryan appeared to be in pain after coming off the bench in Ireland's Pool B win over Scotland at the weekend.
Wings Mack Hansen (calf) and James Lowe (eye) are also improving after being forced off in the Scotland match.
Centre Robbie Henshaw and wing Keith Earls (both hamstring), are in contention to face the All Blacks.
Ireland team manager Mick Kearney issued the upbeat injury update during a news conference on Monday morning, explaining that the team should have a clearer picture of Ryan's fitness over the next 24 hours.
Kearney also confirmed nobody has been added to the squad before the knockout match against the three-time champions at Stade de France.
"James Ryan is seeing a specialist. We're hoping for better news than originally anticipated," said Kearney.
"Mack Hansen took a bang to his calf but is improving and both him and James Lowe are making good strides.
"Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw are both in contention as they progress during the week. Apart from that, there are just some usual bumps and bruises after a Test match."
Kearney added on Ryan: "We won't have a definitive on James until after he sees the specialist but there would be more optimism around James than what was originally anticipated."
'More relaxed environment'
Kearney has been team manager under three head coaches - Declan Kidney, Joe Schmidt and now Farrell - and says there is subtle changes that reflect the environment around the squad.
"People have different ways of coaching and different ways of managing people or organisations," he said.
"I think one of the key things is it is probably a more relaxed environment under Andy than it would have been under Joe.
"That's not to say the environment under Joe was in any way poor. Andy has maybe introduced a lot of softer skills such as getting the families involved.
"There is a lot of down time for players and staff. That has maybe come from the change of environment from Carton House to HPC [the IRFU's High Performance Centre in Dublin], where you don't feel like you are at work all day long, from early morning until late in the evening.
"Ultimately, to me, environments are all about players and created by players as much as they are by management. It's one in, all in.
"The players are an extremely happy bunch, and that comes with winning as well, and they genuinely have huge respect for each other.
"They get on extremely well and they are the tightest group I would have been involved in or would have witnessed.
"There are great friendships among all 33 players. They are able to have their fun and enjoy their down time.
"I'm not saying it's hugely different but it's certainly a little bit different as to what is was under Joe."
Mick Kearney says players' families are treated as if they are part of the squad
Kearney added that having families involved in the squad has only boosted the group and has helped the squad relax ahead of matches.
"Not only in France, but over the past number of years since Andy took over," Kearney said.
"At the moment, families are arriving Saturday morning of the game. They come in, have lunch and meet with the players.
"They enjoy a few hours with them, and I think that has been a huge help in terms of the environment - you can't be on all the time.
"Having wives, kids or partners around the place has helped the players relax and switch off.
"We look upon the families as actually being as part of the squad. That takes a lot of stress away from players because they are not worried about how they will get to the hotel, get to the match, get their tickets etc.
"It's all part of the mix that has made this an enjoyable place to be."