Garry Ringrose back training with Ireland as Paul O’Connell gives update on Hugo Keenan for Wales clash

Ringrose picked up a shoulder injury in Leinster’s Champions Cup win over Leicester Tigers last month and sat out the first two matches of the Six Nations campaign.

Rather than release him to Leinster for their URC meeting with Benetton on Saturday, Andy Farrell has chosen to keep the centre in the squad and he trained with the team at Abbotstown today.

Having sat out the 36-0 win over the Italians, Peter O’Mahony, Bundee Aki and Tadhg Furlong were also back on deck at the IRFU’s High Performance Centre and are expected to be available for selection.

Hugo Keenan sat out training today after hurting his knee against Italy and Paul O’Connell said he had not yet been ruled out of contention.

However, he acknowledged that the full-back would be a major loss to the team if he missed the Italy game.

“It looks like it, he trained today. He’s in good shape,” he said when asked about Ringrose being available.

“Hugo didn’t train today, but he hasn’t been ruled out for Wales yet. He was at training, he took part in the organisation. No update, still available for selection.

“Yeah, he plays a big role. He’s been injury free for a long time, he’s an excellent player and there’s so much in full-back, covering back field defensively and also in attack, recreating our attack by moving side to side.

“There’s a load of IP we’d miss, he plays a big leadership role. He’s a problem solver, highly regarded.

“Probably good for us, it makes us play someone else there if he doesn’t make it. I’m not sure yet where he’s at, we’d be hopeful.”