Whereas England head coach Steve Borthwick has misplaced hooker Jamie George, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and again row Alex Dombrant to harm, O’Connell additionally reported a clear invoice of well being for Eire eight days out from the Aviva Stadium encounter.
Dan Sheehan and James Lowe will characteristic for Leinster in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship recreation towards the Stormers earlier than linking up with the squad in Portugal, whereas uncapped prop Jack Boyle (Leinster) and scrum-half Caolin Blade (Connacht) can even play for his or her golf equipment this weekend.
Whereas the island of Eire has been hit by Storm Éowyn over the previous 24 hours, the nationwide rugby group has loved the calmer environment of Quinta do Lago, which has develop into an everyday cease for the squad forward of massive campaigns in recent times.
“It’s kind of of a change of surroundings. Once we come out right here, the gamers undoubtedly take pleasure in it,” stated O’Connell.
“It is an excellent coaching facility, they actually benefit from the resort. I suppose there is a little bit of a sense of ‘we’re in with Eire now.’
“We’re in another country and there is this particular expertise as a result of it’s a nice week. The coaching pitch out there may be lovely.
“We get to have quite a lot of conferences open air due to the climate. Usually, you keep round on the pitch a bit longer, you get to have a couple of extra conversations with gamers.”
