Ireland's Henshaw an injury doubt for Scotland game

Robbie Henshaw on the charge in the Pool B win over South Africa in Paris

Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 7 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Ulster; follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app

Robbie Henshaw is an injury concern for Ireland as they prepare for their final Rugby World Cup pool match against Scotland in Paris on Saturday.

"Robbie has a bit of a niggle," said Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell.

O'Connell added that Ireland will discover the extent of the injury later on Wednesday.

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The rest of the squad came through Wednesday morning's training unscathed and Ireland will be aiming to make it four wins from four Pool B games at the weekend.

Ireland will top the group - and likely setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final against New Zealand - if they avoid defeat or lose by seven points or fewer while Scotland need to win to reach the last-eight stage.

Paul O'Connell calls out to an Ireland player during training in France

O'Connell believes Ireland will focus solely on the Scotland game and not think ahead to a possible knock-out encounter against the All Blacks.

"That is one of the things the lads are really good at, they are really god at staying focused on the next game and not looking beyond it," the former Ireland captain added.

"Whenever we were on tour in New Zealand or when we were playing in the Six Nations, in terms of having a chance of winning it, they acknowledge it and might have a quick chat about it and that then allows them to focus on what is in front of them.

"Staying focused on this game and absolutely nothing else is a skillset they have got really good at. We have just got to get better. They are good at staying in the moment and being present. I know it sounds cliched but it is something we talk about and they talk about a lot."

Striving for perfection

Ireland impressed in their 13-8 victory over holders South Africa but O'Connell wants improvement from the Springboks game.

"There were a lot of things we were excellent at against South Africa but there were a lot of things we can improve on, in terms of our attack, our defence, our ruck and line-out," he said.

"I think we know what we stand for as a team and how we want to do a lot of things in the game, and they are getting better and better at seeing those pictures. We haven't had a lot of change. We have probably evolved more than changed and that helps with consistency.

"We talk about winning for sure, every now and again, but the focus is all about improving and getting better. I think you have to acknowledge that there might be something to win on a tour or on a Six Nations or a World Cup or whatever but I think the easiest way to get there is about getting better and just improving.

"We just have to get better. There are always bits to get better at and that is what I think sometimes helps the lads tune out the noise of what might happen. They enjoy focusing on the bits and pieces that helps them be better and they can ignore the bigger picture.

"They do live that, it's not just cliched to them. They understand what playing for Ireland means more than ever. They understand how important the Irish rugby jersey is.

"The more you understand who you are and what you stand for, the easier it is to perform. They don't have to build up how important the game is. We all know it and they all know it. They do focus on getting better, they do focus on the next moment and that helps them block out some of the noise around the game."