Ireland No 10 Carbery on track to win fitness battle
Ireland stand-off Joey Carbery appears on course to be fit for the World Cup.
The Irish Rugby Football Union said Munster No 10 Carbery is expected to be available for selection in four to six weeks.
He went off after suffering an ankle injury during Ireland’s opening World Cup warm-up game against Italy last weekend. But Carbery will continue his rehabilitation with the national squad during a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
Ireland’s opening World Cup encounter is against Scotland in Yokohama on 22 September, followed by an appointment with host nation Japan six days later.
The IRFU added that lock Devin Toner’s ankle knock “has not presented any further issues”, while hooker Rob Herring has recovered from a back spasm. Three players – Finlay Bealham, John Cooney and Mike Haley – have returned to their provinces.
Meanwhile, South Africa have changed all 15 starters for their World Cup warmup game against Argentina, including the recall of captain Siya Kolisi for his first international this season after injury.
Kolisi returns at openside flanker but is not captain for this game as he concentrates on proving his fitness before South Africa start their World Cup campaign next month against two-time defending champions New Zealand.
Hooker Schalk Brits leads the team that also includes Europe-based players Vincent Koch at prop, Marcell Coetzee at No 8 and Cobus Reinach at scrum-half.
The Springboks beat Argentina last weekend to clinch the Rugby Championship.