Ireland assistant coach Alex Codling has provided an optimistic update on Aoife Wafer's recovery, stating that the star back row is "very close" to making her return from a knee injury. Wafer, who was named the Women's Six Nations player of the tournament earlier this year, missed Ireland's opening World Cup victory over Japan due to surgery last month.

Wafer's Progress

Wafer remained in Dublin last week to continue her rehabilitation. Since joining the squad in England, she has participated in training sessions, including lineout drills, indicating positive progress. However, Codling emphasized that the coaching staff is carefully monitoring her condition to ensure she is fully ready for competitive play.

Upcoming Match Against Spain

Ireland is set to face Spain in Northampton on Sunday. Despite Spain's recent 54-8 loss to New Zealand in their World Cup opener, Codling warned against underestimating their opponents. Spain, ranked 13th globally, has a history of challenging Ireland, including a close match in the 2023 WXV3 and a victory in the 2021 World Cup qualifier.

Team Management

Codling also highlighted the importance of managing player workloads, particularly for co-captain Edel McMahon, who has been recovering from an injury. McMahon played 75 minutes in the win over Japan and is being carefully managed to ensure her fitness for upcoming matches.

Conclusion

As Ireland prepares for their next challenge, the focus remains on ensuring key players like Wafer and McMahon are in peak condition. With Spain's potential to surprise, Ireland is taking no chances in their pursuit of World Cup success.