Ireland not aware of alleged stamping v South Africa but World …
Irish coach John Fogarty insists the management team was not aware of an alleged stamping incident on Josh van der Flier during the second half of Saturday’s World Cup victory over South Africa.
However, the Ireland assistant coach said he was confident that World Rugby would deal with any disciplinary matter if it arose.
There is footage from the game at the Stade de France of van der Flier’s injured right hand being stood on at a ruck. The 2022 World Player of the Year suffered a finger injury in the opening minute but was able to continue.
However Fogarty claimed that Ireland were not aware of van der Flier being the victim of an alleged stamping incident.
“I’m not aware if there was a stamping on not,” said Fogarty. “I’m sure World Rugby will be looking across everything, referees will be looking across everything,
“At the moment in time, I’m sure there is (a mechanism available) if we needed to. I haven’t heard anything from our end. The disciplinary board will look at it.
“Josh is good, there’s no obvious injuries at the moment. We managed to come out of what was a really physical game with a full bill of health.
“There’s medicals on now, but at this moment in time there’s no obvious injuries.”
Jack Conan and Jimmy O’Brien are the only two players not to get game time so far and the plan is for Conan, who was recovering from a foot injury, to resume full training when the squad get back down to business.
“We’ve been very, very lucky with the health of the squad and the return of those players to full training has been brilliant,” said Fogarty.
“But right now we look like we’ll be training with a full deck when we return to training, which is great.
With the team not back in action until they play Scotland in their final Pool B game on Saturday week, Fogarty said that players and management took time to enjoy the aftermath as a group and then with their families.
The squad won’t return to work until midweek in Tours after enjoying some down time.
Fogarty revealed Ireland ‘didn’t do the dog’ on their celebrations after beating the Boks.
“It’s important, isn’t it? To make sure we’re aware that that was a big win and we’re obviously delighted with it,” Fogarty smiled.
“We took time with each other, enjoyed company. Nothing too mad at all.
“The dressing-room is generally the best craic, you’re there together and there’s no outside distractions. There’s a few moments there where I made it around to all the front-rows and discussed who they played against, how they got on.
“We enjoyed that time together in the dressing-room. It’s a late kick-off, we got back to the hotel around 1am so we didn’t do the dog on it, but we enjoyed each other’s company.
Ireland’s Mack Hansen celebrates after winning (Image: INPHO/Dave Winter)
“We didn’t talk too much about the next game. We took the time, families are over at the moment, there are wives and kids around, it’s nice to be able to relax with them a little bit and also enjoy each other’s company.
“But we’re very clear on Scotland, they’ve improved year on year and they play today, they’ll play Romania next week and they’ll be looking to get a win.
“Looking at their forwards and at them across the pitch, it’s always a challenge to play against them.
“They’re a little bit unpredictable in their back line but they’ve got a gnarly pack, so for us I know we’ll take our break now but we’ll get to that next week, we’ll start planning and preparing for Scotland.
“But right now I think it’s about recovery and rest.”
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References
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