Garry: It’s third time a charm
RINGROSE HOPES HIS LUCK WILL HOLD NOW AFTER BAD BREAKS
GARRY RINGROSE is counting on his bad luck being “all used up” as he targets a return in Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Wales next month.
Ringrose has suffered two jaw fractures in the past three months, the second one coming just after his return from the first in Leinster’s Champions Cup clash against Northampton.
The closest he has been to the action was as a waterboy for the most recent PRO14 win over Ulster, otherwise the centre has been roaring at his team-mates while watching on TV.
“Sometimes you have to suppress it and remember the lads can’t hear you,” laughed Ringrose.
“But I do get into it emotionally because it’s what we do every day. We spend our lives working and committing to this.”
Missing out on Saturday’s big clash with Munster at Thomond
Park, with both sides set to be at almost full strength, is a killer – especially with Andy Farrell set to name his Six Nations squad on Monday.
“Yeah, I’d love to be able to play in the game,” he admitted.
“It’s probably from Andy Farrell’s perspective, and the coaches, that this is a bit of trial game for them.
“I’m still a massive fan when watching Leinster and if anything I’m even more into it because I see part of me out there even if I’m not.
“It’s still an enjoyable experience
HARD KNOCKS Garry Ringrose has shipped his fair share of heavy blows which will be made even more enjoyable if we win.”
Ringrose knows he must hits his markers this week, having resumed training. Doing so is vital to his availability for the Wales game.
“Unless things go horribly wrong this week I’d like to consider myself to be available for selection going forward,” he admitted.
The 25-year-old treated himself to a Mcdonalds and pizza when he could eat solids again after the first time he broke his jaw. But after weeks of sipping blended dinners and soup through a straw while following the advice of his dietician girlfriend and IRFU nutritionist Ruth Wood-martin, he had to do it all over again.
The Dubliner insists he is not concerned about it happening a third time.
“I wouldn’t really overthink it. Players go through their whole careers without ever having a jaw issue.
“I’ve just been unlucky to have one and then do the same thing the first game back. Hopefully that’s all my bad luck all used up and I’ll be good to go because in terms of it being healed and stuff, I wouldn’t be let back out until it was medically clear.
“Once that’s the case, from my confidence perspective, it’s fine.”