SCHMIDT TAKES A PUNT ON MADIGAN

IAN MADIGAN has spent the last year working behind the scenes to prepare to cover at scrum-half for Ireland in the World Cup. Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has gambled on taking only two recognised scrum-halves to the tournament, omitting Isaac Boss and Kieran Marmion. Fly-half Madigan has quietly beavered away adding yet another string to his backline bow at Schmidt’s behest. He started to run at nine in training this week. Confirming that prop Cian Healy is finally fit after neck surgery in May but may not be risked against England this weekend, Schmidt insisted Ireland will only turn to Madigan at scrum-half in an emergency. ‘I’d like to think it’s a calculated risk,’ said Schmidt. ‘To a degree that risk is managed by the 48-hour rule and the opportunity to get someone in within that time frame before a match if there is an injury. With the the tournament being hosted in England that definitely eased the scenario. ‘Ian has done a lot of individual training there, but it’s only in the last week he’s started to slot in and do a little bit at nine with the team. ‘I spoke to Ian about it last season, so it’s not suddenly something that’s sprung up. Then he did some work on it in the off-season.’ Munster flyer Keith Earls suffered a heavy blow to the head in last weekend’s 16-10 defeat by Wales in Dublin. He is following the concussion protocols but will not feature in Ireland’s final warm-up against England. Ulster wing Andrew Trimble was the biggest fall-guy in the squad announcement — with provincial team-mate Darren Cave sneaking at centre thanks to Madigan covering scrum-half. Leinster 22-year-old Tadhg Furlong will cover loosehead and tighthead prop, with Schmidt keen to retain ‘specialist’ centre Cave. ‘That was the most discussed position,’ said Schmidt of Trimble missing out. ‘He’d played 34 minutes of a Test match and 80 minutes for Ulster but in between that he hurt his foot again. It interrupted his preparation and time ran out for him.’