MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 14:27:54| >> :600:671358:671358:
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 22, 2019 at 8.45am UK
 
Ireland
27-3
Scotland
Ryan (7'), Best (15'), Furlong (25'), Conway (56')
FT

Robbie Henshaw a doubt for Ireland's World Cup opener

Robbie Henshaw a doubt for Ireland's World Cup opener
© Reuters
Garry Ringrose could benefit from Henshaw's injury for the group stages opener in Chiba.

Robbie Henshaw is an injury doubt for Ireland's World Cup opener against Scotland, the PA news agency understands.

The British and Irish Lions centre is thought to have suffered a hamstring strain in training in Chiba on Saturday.

The 26-year-old had looked all set to partner Bundee Aki in a robust midfield pairing for Ireland's Pool A opener in Yokohama on Sunday, September 22.

Garry Ringrose
Garry Ringrose could be drafted into the centres in place of Robbie Henshaw (Adam Davy/PA)

An injury threat for Henshaw now would leave Garry Ringrose likely to slot into the centres alongside Aki, though Chris Farrell could also provide a more direct replacement in the physicality stakes.

The versatile Will Addison was due to start Ulster's pre-season clash at Glasgow on Saturday, only to be shifted to the bench in the minutes before kick-off. He was then kept under wraps as an unused replacement as Ulster lost 36-33 in Glasgow.

Addison narrowly missed out on Ireland's 31-man World Cup squad but head coach Joe Schmidt highly values his abilities, especially in covering centre, wing and full-back – and fly-half at a stretch.

The former England Under-20s star would head the queue of replacements should Henshaw's injury concern be deemed serious enough to threaten his participation in the tournament.

ID:371431: cacheID:371431:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3818:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ireland captain Rory Best leads the warm-up ahead of the Six Nations match against England on February 2, 2019
Read Next:
Rory Best: 'Losing to England was a kick in the teeth'
>