Six Nations 2024: Ireland 'hopeful' Hugo Keenan will be fit to face Wales
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Keenan was forced off after 55 minutes in Ireland's win over Italy
Ireland are hopeful that full-back Hugo Keenan will be available for their Six Nations match against Wales in Dublin despite his knee injury.
Keenan went off injured in the second half of Ireland's 36-0 win over Italy on Sunday, with head coach Andy Farrell saying he had a "bang on his knee".
The Leinster player, 27, did not train on Thursday.
But forwards coach Paul O'Connell says Ireland are "hopeful" Keenan will recover to face Wales on 24 February.
O'Connell also said centre Garry Ringrose is in "good shape" and could return against Wales having missed the first two games with a shoulder injury.
Ringrose trained on Thursday, as did captain Peter O'Mahony (calf), prop Tadhg Furlong (calf) and centre Bundee Aki (knee), all of whom sat out the Italy game.
"He's progressing with his rehabilitation," O'Connell said on Keenan.
"He was there at training today. He took part in all the organisational bits but I have no full update.
"He's still available for selection for Wales but I'm not sure what will happen in the next few days."
After beating France and Italy, Ireland host Wales as they chase back-to-back Grand Slams.
Keenan has been an almost ever-present figure in Ireland's success over the past three years, starting 33 of the 36 Tests since the start of the 2021 Six Nations.
Head coach Farrell is already without one full-back option in Jimmy O'Brien, while Jack Crowley moved from fly-half to cover Keenan's absence in the closing stages of the Italy game.
Keenan's Leinster team-mate Ciaran Frawley could be deployed at full-back if needed, while Jordan Larmour (Leinster) and Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) are also capable of playing there.
"He plays a big role," O'Connell added on Keenan.
"Obviously he was injury-free for a long time. He's an excellent player and there's so much in full-back in covering the backfield defensively and he has a lot of work to do in attack as well.
"There is a lot of IP there that we might miss if he wasn't playing. He also plays a big leadership role for us. He's a very smart guy and a problem solver within the group, he's highly regarded.
"Whether he is there or not he will continue to play that role. It is maybe good for us in some ways because it makes us play there if he doesn't make it.
"I'm not sure where he's at but he was around training so we'd be hopeful."
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