DENIS LEAMY has told Ireland players to keep their focus and not be distracted by the Lions.
With 15 players and a raft of coaches away with Andy Farrell in Australia, there is a second-string feel to the Ireland squad which will travel to Tbilisi today.
There are 13 uncapped players in the squad of 33 which will take on Georgia on Saturday before facing Portugal in Lisbon a week later.
Although Craig Casey was overlooked by Andy Farrell when Tomos Williams was ruled out of the Lions Tour through injury, he – and others – may still harbour hopes of a late call-up.
And Leamy said: “I lean on my own experience a little bit with that, being on tours in 2009 when you’re on standby for the Lions.
“And it is a challenge, but you have to keep your mind on the job that’s in front of you and you have to be very conscious of being as good as you can be in that space.
“Obviously, you’re watching what’s going on in Australia if there’s an injury or an opportunity coming.
“But the boys will be very good around that. Their focus will be Ireland and whatever happens after that will happen.”
Ulster prop Scott Wilson has been added to the squad with Leamy believing there is a real opportunity for some players such as Gavin Coombes – who might be frustrated by their international progress to date – to advance their claims.
Leamy said: “He’s turned up, he’s looking fit, he’s looking hungry the last few days. I think he’s applied himself really well, he’s been really good in training.
“Gavin has been in and out of Irish squads over the last couple of years. The times he’s been left out, he’s understood the reasons why and they have been very fair.
“Gavin has gone away and worked hard on those parts of the games. Hopefully, if selected, he can go and apply that and put his best foot forward.
“He’s worked great between 22 and 22. His ability to make yards in open play, his ability to clock up big numbers in his tackles, his rucks and the fundamentals around his basic play and as a no 8 around the base of the scrum.
“He’s learning and improving that all the time. That’s why he’s back in this environment.”
