Concerns grow over Ireland duo

NEWS: Ireland are set for a tense waiting game after two of their star players were not involved in training on Tuesday ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal against the All Blacks.

Lock James Ryan was absent from Tuesday’s session, while wing Mack Hansen was sitting in the stands.

Ryan was due to see a specialist on Monday to assess how serious his wrist injury was. It is understood that the 27-year-old has returned to Dublin for a scan.

Hansen went off for a head injury assessment against Scotland on Saturday before he suffered a calf problem shortly after returning to the field.

According to the PA news agency, Hansen began the morning training session at Stade des Fauvettes in the terraces then moved down to a pitch-side dugout before media departed.

The good news for Ireland is that James Lowe (eye), Keith Earls (hamstring), and Robbie Henshaw (hamstring) trained as normal on Tuesday.

Earls could be the man in line to replace Hansen if the latter does not recover in time for Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will announce his team on Wednesday.

Additional reporting: PA