Ireland's Gary Ringrose has claimed that he expects to be part of the Ireland squad as they bid to become the first ever side to win back-to-back Grand Slams.
Ringrose has missed all three of Ireland's games because of a shoulder issue. Wins against France, Italy, and Wales last weekend will now be followed by tests against England and Scotland.
The Leinster centre is one of Ireland's key players and admits that he is optimistic that he can feature in Ireland's last two games in Twickenham and Dublin.
“It probably had some time for swelling and irritation to build up in the joint, and then a few things shut down that needed to get firing again," said Ringrose.
“Thankfully, the lads [the medical team] have been all over it and helped me massively in the last couple of weeks, and I have thankfully been able to stay in the environment with the guys and try and help where I can and train some weeks as well.
“From that perspective, it’s gone really well. Hopefully, this week it goes well and will be available for the last two.”
Ringrose's injury was only flagged in the Leinster Champions Cup in January. The Leinster star now believes timing is everything if he is to be part of Ireland's historic Grand Slam retention bid.
DUBLIN, IRELAND—MARCH 19: Darcy Graham of Scotland is tackled by Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose of Ireland during the Six Nations Rugby match between Ireland and Scotland at Aviva Stadium on March 19, 2022, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) )“It’s going well; it’s obviously been tough, missing out on being available for the last three games, but the rehab is progressing well, and I’m hoping all is going well to be available for the last two games," said Ringrose.
“We have this week; the timing of the second down week is probably good to give an extra few days to hopefully get it right. That’s the plan—to be available.
“I’ve hurt that shoulder in the past, but it was in the Leicester game where I picked up a couple of knocks on it. I was able to play the game through and only flagged it with the medics afterward."
Ringrose has also praised the Ireland team for their performances in Dublin and Marseille. Ireland's standout performance was in Marseille in the opening game of the tournament. Ireland won 38-17 at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille at the start of the month. Ringrose has described Ireland's domination in the Six Nations as "unreal."
Ringrose has loved the performances on the sidelines while he has been forced to sit on the sidelines.
"The lads have been great. It’s been a dream start for the Six Nations to pick up 15 points after three games," he said.
"The lads have been brilliant. That game in France was incredible to watch.
"I was watching on TV, and it was just unreal to see the lads being cohesive right from the start of the game, and that’s continued now into the next two games and to be in the position we are in now.
"It’s a bit unreal."
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