Sidelined Henderson edging ever closer to his Ulsterreturn
WHEN Ulster were last in action, it was at the end of a long run of consecutive fixtures. They rescued a draw from the jaws of defeat at home to Benetton.
A week off, followed by a week of limited sessions, preceded yesterday’s return to normal scheduling, with the squad boosted by a few returning faces.
Scrum-half John Cooney, who appeared off the bench for a handful of minutes in both of Ireland’s Six Nations games to date, was back training with the province ahead of Friday’s trip to face the Ospreys in Bridgend, while Jordi Murphy was also back in Belfast having been overlooked by Joe Schmidt so far during the campaign.
There was no sign of Will Addison though, hinting that the former Sale man could be set for a role against Italy when Ireland’s Six Nations resumes on February 24.
Of most interest, though, will likely be the sight of Iain Henderson back in training. The star lock injured his hand against Leicester Tigers, his first game back from a different hand injury.
Having missed the last fortnight for Ireland, a loss compounded by the news that Devin Toner will be absent for the rest of the Championship, it is still hoped he could feature later in the campaign.
Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper offered a positive prognosis on his most recent recovery.
“He is coming along really well,” he said. “Until the medics give him the all clear he will keep progressing towards getting fully stuck in (with contact), but he has been able to do a lot of conditioning obviously and a lot of (skills) with me, able to use one hand. He is progressing along nicely.
“He has not been doing a lot of catch and pass, back into that sort of thing, but we are taking it easy on him at the minute.”
Another of the side’s key forwards, Marcell Coetzee, will play no part in the Guinness PRO14 encounter this weekend.
The back-rower, who last week signed a three-year deal to stay with the province, also last featured for the side against the Tigers almost a month ago, coming off with a hamstring strain in the first-half of the win that sealed a Champions Cup quarter-final place.
“No, Marcell won’t be available this week,” confirmed Soper. “He’s pretty close and doing a lot, but the medics will be on that one, but certainly not available this week.”
Soper (right) did add, however, that the influential Springbok was fully expected to be back in plenty of time for the European last-eight tie with Leinster in the Aviva Stadium next month.
While that seems sure to come too soon for Luke Marshall, the centre is also back in non-contact training after his ACL injury last May.
Ahead of their own return to PRO14 actions,
Chris Farrell has returned to Munster along with hooker Niall Scannell and John Ryan.
Farrell started at outside centre for Schmidt’s side in the win over Scotland, his first Test cap since a serious knee injury sustained in last year’s Championship.
Like Henderson, there had been some hope that Tadhg Beirne could have made a return to provincial action to ease Ireland’s second-row options ahead of the trip to Rome but head coach Johann van Graan appeared to downplay the prospect.
Meanwhile, Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien’s move to London Irish was confirmed yesterday afternoon. The Tullow native, a two-time Lions tourist, will make the move after this year’s World Cup.
“I’m keen to roll up the sleeves and use my experience to help re-establish London Irish as a top club in England,” O’Brien said. “This is one of the hardest decisions that I have ever had to make. I have played all my rugby in Ireland with Tullow, with Leinster and with Ireland, and to move from the place I call home and that I love so much was not easy.
“That being said, I feel that the time has come to explore other opportunities, to challenge myself at a new environment, in a new city, with a new club and against different players and teams on a weekly basis.”
O’Brien will link up with former Irish coach Declan Kidney and former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss for the side who are set for Premiership promotion, while it is believed Paddy Jackson will also join ahead of next season once Perpignan’s almost certain relegation from the Top 14 is confirmed.
“We are always on the lookout for players of Sean’s ability,” said Kidney. “Sean has proven himself time and time again to be a quality player who sets very high standards for himself and those around him, he leads by example and has a winning mentality.” PHIL Mickelson wrapped up his fifth victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am yesterday after play was extended into an additional day.
The 48-year-old five-time Major winner finished on 19-under after returning to the California course to play the closing two holes of his final round.
Third-round leader Paul Casey finished second on 16-under, with Mickelson’s fellow American Scott Stallings a shot further back.
Mickelson, who had also led by three when play was suspended due to bad light on Sunday, finished with a birdie at the last to sign for a closing seven-under 65.
Casey, who had been three ahead after 54 holes, also birdied the last to put some shine on an otherwise frustrating one-under 71.
Mickelson’s win equalled Mark O’Meara’s record number of victories in the tournament and saw him become only the second man after Tiger Woods to surpass $90m (£70m) in career earnings.
Mickelson, whose victory was also his 44th on the PGA Tour, said: “This is a special place to win at.
“I have so many incredible memories and recollections here over the years and to be able to add to them is something special.
“To play some of my best golf on a Sunday and catch such a good player as Paul Casey means a lot to me.”
Former World No.1 Jason Day, meanwhile, finished in a tie for fourth on 13-under with Kim Siwoo, while Graeme McDowell finished at eight-under.