Ireland fitness doubt over hooker Best
Tuesday 4 October 2011, 1:07PM
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Ireland are sweating on the fitness of hooker Rory Best for their quarter-final against Wales at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday after he injured his shoulder in the 36-6 win over Italy on Sunday.
Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton said Best was "certainly doubtful" on Monday but they would assess him again on Tuesday.
“He’s (Best) been playing fantastic rugby and it would be a blow if he’s not available, but we have two hookers now and back-up in Ireland if we need it," McNaughton said.
"Other teams have had injury problems, so we really just have to get on to it.”
Ireland backs coach Alan Gaffney said Wales have become a more dangerous side after changing the way they attack at this World Cup.
"They became a bit predictable and a lot of people were saying it’s an attractive brand of rugby, but it was predictable," Gaffney said.
"But they’ve changed and full credit to (Wales coach) Warren Gatland and (assistant coach Rob) Howley and (defence coach Shaun) Edwards. They’ve changed that attack. It’s more potent now than we believe it was.”