Baloucoune's hamstring recovery hands Ireland coaches a selection headache for Eden Park

Rob Baloucoune has recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of Ireland’s opening two tour matches, training fully with the squad at Kings College in Auckland on Tuesday as Andy Farrell’s side prepare to face New Zealand at Eden Park this weekend.

The Ulster winger had been named to start against Australia in Sydney but withdrew before kick-off, and the same problem kept him sidelined for the subsequent win over Japan. Prop Jeremy Loughman, who suffered a head injury against the Wallabies, also returned to the training paddock on Tuesday, leaving Ireland with a fully fit touring party for the first time in four weeks.

“It was great to have everyone out there on the fourth week of the tour,” backs coach Andrew Goodman told reporters. “Everyone was training and available, so it’s a good place to be at the end of the tour.”

Baloucoune’s return complicates selection in the back three. Jimmy O’Brien stepped in during his absence and delivered two strong performances, meaning Farrell must now decide whether to restore the Six Nations standout or reward O’Brien’s form with a starting berth against the All Blacks.

“To have Rob back training and fit — he obviously had an amazing Six Nations for us and we were looking forward to getting him going from week one,” Goodman said. “It’s a shame he pulled up with an injury, but he’s charging around training again today. It creates a healthy dilemma for us as coaches and some good discussions.”

The backdrop to those discussions is a formidable one. Eden Park is a venue where New Zealand have not lost in their last 52 matches, making it one of sport’s most daunting home fortresses. Ireland will need to be at full strength — and fully settled — if they are to end that record.