STAYING FIT IS NOW THE KEE

MICHAEL SCULLY

MISSING one game is nothing in the larger scale of things, says Hugo Keenan.

He hates not playing but the Leinster star is working to be back to face England on Saturday but he can put his unavailability for the Wales game in perspective.

“There are lads who I’ve played with who’ve had to retire from injury, who’ve missed season after season through injury,” Keenan said.

“You look at good friends like Will Connors (right) who’s finally got a decent run but missed the guts of two or three years.

“I made my Irish debut with him. He just didn’t have the luck I did in terms of injuries.”

Keenan also mentions Conor O’brien, an academy team-mate fast out of the blocks into the senior set-up but “plagued” by injuries. Marty Moloney is another in the same boat.

Keenan said: “It gives you that extra bit of motivation to get back – and extra bit of appreciation for the bit of luck you’ve had.”

He also revisited the Sevens question. The IRFU is allowing some provincial players the chance to make a bid for the Paris Olympics.

A Sevens veteran before making his Ireland XVS breakthrough, Keenan previously ruled out switching back.

“You do have to consider it, yeah,” he said.”but it’s hard to balance everything and I’m just focusing on the Six Nations.

“You’re always a small bit tempted with the idea of playing in an Olympics. Who wouldn’t want to do that? It’s an incredible opportunity for the Sevens players.

“I know a lot of them have done it already in Tokyo. I played a small part in getting them qualified for that so back then it was tough to leave that behind.

“But my focus is just getting back fit and getting ready for England.