Thomas Clarkson and Will Connors have returned to training for the province after their respective hamstring and knee injuries.

Clarkson helped his club Dublin University to a dramatic victory over Lansdowne in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League at the weekend.

Connors will undergo further assessment in his first week of full training since picking up his knee injury.

Jamison Gibson-Park will also be assessed throughout the week after he missed Ireland’s win over Argentina with a thigh injury.

Jack Conan, Johnny Sexton and James Ryan are not available for selection this weekend after picking up injuries on international duty.

Conan and Ryan withdrew late from the Ireland matchday 23 to face Argentina, whom they were both set to start against.

Number eight Conan will be further reviewed this week for a quad injury while lock Ryan has entered the Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

Leinster and Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will be unavailable for three to five weeks due to a knee and ankle issue.

Conor O’Brien and Dave Kearney are also unavailable after picking up injuries in last week’s Leinster ‘A’ win away to Ulster.

O’Brien will be sidelined for several months after sustaining a hamstring injury while Kearney will only need a couple of weeks to recover from his back injury.

No updates were given on the status of prop Michael Milne and back Rory O’Loughlin who continue to recover from their calf and shoulder injuries.

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Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell was happy with the bonus-point win.

“We got out of it what we wanted to – the bonus-point win. It takes us into the final week and we’re still in the hunt.”

Though the concession of a late try was frustrating, overall Farrell said he thought “we defended so well. I thought we created out own energy. We had great energy, great line speed. We got some good turnovers on the back of it. We were a bit frustrated in the end, but I thought our defence was excellent today.”

Work ethic was good

The Englishman was impressed with the debutants and less experienced players’ performances, with Hugh Keenan, Will Connors and Dave Heffernan in particular shining.

“The work ethic is there for all to see. I’m delighted for all of the lads. They played exceptional all of them. I’m just gutted their parents could have been here to see the game. They’ve worked so hard taking them around the country. They deserved to be here, but anyway, it is what it is.”

Centre Garry Ringrose left the field during the game for a HIA after a knock to the jaw. Farrell explained however that he passed the HIA but looked to have fractured his jaw.

“It looks like he’s had some back luck. He had a bang to the jaw. It doesn’t look too great. It looks as though he could have some type of fracture. He looks like he could be out for 4, 5, 6 weeks.”

It was later confirmed that Ringrose had in fact sustained a broken jaw.

Paris next weekend

Looking ahead to next weekend, the Irish management team is well aware of the task facing Ireland. If they achieve a bonus point win in Paris, they could be crowned 2020 Guinness Six Nations Champions.

Farrell is aware of the difficulty of winning in Paris:

“Next week, it’s a tall order to go to Paris and win over there. We know that if we got a bonus point, we could win the Trophy. That’s a tall order, isn’t it? We’ve got to make sure we analyse this performance and assess where we’re at and try and get better next week.”

He knows well it’s one thing beating Italy in Dublin, but beating the French in Paris will require a much improved overall performance from his side.

“We’re going to have to be better in all aspects of our game,” Farrell admitted. “They’re a formidable side, especially over there in Paris. We need to be better across the board. A little more composure on the ball at times would help. We’re in the hunt though. We should be looking forward to it as well.”

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