By:
Conor Martin
Hugo Keenan believes he’s on track to be available for Ireland’s Six Nations curtain-raiser against France, and he says Caelan Doris’ comeback has been a real lift as he edges closer to full fitness.
The Leinster full-back has been dealing with a lingering hip problem that eventually required surgery after last summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.
It’s kept him out of action since Ireland’s final match of the autumn, a 22–12 defeat to Australia in Sydney, meaning he hasn’t had a chance to build rhythm in a game environment over the past few months.
Even so, Keenan’s name on Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad list suggests confidence within the camp that he’s nearing a return.
Keenan has pointed to Doris’s own recovery as proof that an injury layoff doesn’t have to derail preparation, especially when rehab is managed well and progress is made week by week.
Ireland open their campaign with a heavyweight clash against France, and Keenan knows how much sharpness matters in a fixture likely to be decided by small moments. His immediate focus is staying consistent in training, trusting the process, and ensuring he’s ready to hit the ground running when the championship begins.
Leinster man hoping to get game time ahead of Six Nations
Speaking to RTÉ’s Inside Sport, the Leinster man said: “I would have liked to have played by now. I’ve been out for just over five months and was always targeting a January return.
“Missing a few big interpros and European games (for Leinster) wasn’t ideal, but I’m getting there.
“I’m back training fully with Leinster and starting to feel much better, and felt I’ve turned the corner the last couple of weeks.
“I was always hoping to get a bit of game time before the Six Nations to put my hand up for selection and to get back into form.
“Unfortunately, I was probably a week or two short so far, but it just means that training becomes more important. It just means that the challenge is bigger when I do (in reference to his return).
Hugo Keenan taking inspiration from Ireland team-mate
He also mentioned that he is taking inspiration from the Ireland captain and Investec Champions Cup Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris’ return to fitness, saying: “Caelan Doris was out with a long-term injury for five or six months, a similar sort of time.
“He came back into that New Zealand game, and he was brilliant from the get-go, and he was able to back that up in the Autumn Internationals after that and has been brilliant since as well.”
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