SIMON SAYS JACK WILL BE FINE

Conan's bullish about his latest injury scare

- MICHAEL SCULLY

SIMON EASTERBY last night insisted that Jack Conan is not a World Cup doubt despite being left behind in Dublin while the Ireland squad trains in the Algarve.

Conan, 31, suffered a foot injury in the 33-17 home victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday that opened Ireland's World Cup warm-up campaign.

Defence coach Easterby (inset) said it was too early to assess if the Leinster no 8 will be fit to face England in the second warm-up in Dublin on Saturday week.

Conan's last World Cup was wrecked by an ankle injury he sustained in training in the lead up to the fateful second pool game against hosts Japan.