Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Addison on Japan alert
Carbery fit to face Scots in opener
ULSTER’S Will Addison could be Japan-bound after it emerged that Robbie Henshaw is a serious World Cup doubt.
Centre Henshaw, 26, has a hamstring issue that could rule him out of the clash against Scotland in Yokohama on Saturday.
And Addison (above) was withdrawn at the last minute from Ulster’s starting line-up against Glasgow yesterday and didn’t play off the bench.
JOEY CARBERY insists he will be ready to go against Scotland in Ireland’s World Cup opener on Saturday.
The 24-year-old hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in the first World Cup warm-up against Italy early last month (below).
Initially he feared the worst for his dream of playing in Japan and admitted there was a moment when his involvement in the finals was in the balance.
But having undergone minor surgery he is resuming a full training programme this week and should be on the bench in Yokohama in six days time.
“The ankle is good,” said the Munster out-half. “I’m on target. The doctors are happy, it’s as good as it can be really.
“I’m not too far away now. It’s just making sure they don’t overdo it. I’m in a good place and I’m on schedule. It could have been a lot worse.
“I suppose it goes through everyone’s head when you get injured.
“Maybe I was a bit fortunate to do it in the first game. If I had done it in the third or fourth game, I probably wouldn’t have made it.
“We were unsure before we saw the scans. I feared the worst a little bit because I just didn’t know what it was. It could have been a six-month injury, I just didn’t know.
“I suppose still having the chance and to be progressing the way I am, I’m very fortunate.”
Carbery will provide back up to Johnny Sexton in the No.10 role but can also fill in at full-back if required.
Coach Joe Schmidt has also earmarked the Athy man for scrum-half cover in an emergency.
Carbery admits that the last time he played as a No.9 was for Leinster’s under-18 youth side and returning to that position was “the last thing” on his mind before Schmidt ran it by him at the start of the summer.
“I was comfortable enough,” revealed Carbery. “I’d played nine at under-18s and I think it’s something if I got enough practice with it and learn the role nice and early I could be OK at it.
“I suppose it adds another string to my bow and helped me get on the plane.”
Schmidt hopes to have a full squad fit and available for the crunch clash with the Scots.