Not surprisingly, on a day you wouldn't put the cat out, the Irish management took a similarly benign approach to Ireland's finest yesterday. Having abandoned plans to train at Dr Hickey Park in Greystones yesterday morning, they instead gratefully decamped to the indoor facilities at St Gerard's School in Bray for an afternoon work-out of sorts.
The recalled Paddy Johns was unable to take any part due to a throat infection and Gary Longwell was brought in as a precautionary measure though the expectation is that Johns will be fully recovered in time for Ireland's opener against Japan at Lansdowne Road.
Despite the ongoing inclement weather, the outlook for outdoor activity tomorrow is enhanced by the availability of Greystones' more elevated back pitch, after which the starting line-up for Saturday's game will be named around lunchtime.
Irish coach Warren Gatland ran the rule over the tourists in France last Wednesday when they were beaten 40-23 by a French A side. "Despite the scoreline, they weren't bad actually. Their continuity was especially good, technically they were very good when taking the ball into contact and retaining possession. But they were a bit shy in the tackle when France ran at them."
An injury disrupted Irish under25/Development team will pay host to the touring Japanese at Ravenhill this evening (kick-off 7.30). David Wallace, who strained an ankle in last Friday's interpro at Donnybrook, is the latest source of concern, as a result of which Colm Rigney has been added to the squad, with a decision on Wallace's participation being made today.
The Japanese, now without any of the naturalised Kiwis who featured in their World Cup campaign, are clearly rebuilding but nonetheless have picked a side containing ten internationals.
