Gordon D'Arcy and Keith Earls are both fitness doubts for Ireland's clash with England in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Leg and shoulder injuries could keep the duo out of the clash at the Aviva Stadium, whilst flanker Peter O'Mahony could play subject to International Rugby Board concussion guidelines.
"Gordon suffered a nasty dead leg but is recovering better than we expected," said Ireland team manager Mick Kearney.
"The prognosis is still guarded but we are more hopeful than we were yesterday. He will do modified training today and tomorrow.
"Keith took a blow to his left shoulder that was quite sore. The prognosis is guarded.
"He will do modified training today and tomorrow and will be reviewed by a specialist tomorrow.
"Peter took a bang to the head in a tackle and is being treated as concussion. He was fine after the game and was well today.
"He'll follow the IRB return to playing guidelines and it depends on how he recovers during the week."
Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Mike Ross have all been passed fit, with Robbie Henshaw, Rhys Ruddock, Darren Cave and Andrew Trimble joining the squad as cover.
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Anyone else noticed the game of chicken that Kidney and Lancaster are playing as far as the match day 23 announcment goes?
By the smallest margins folks. By the smallest margins...
Posted 16:18 07th February 2013
damo says...
Darcy Defence: Not so good here, cant get footage of RWC where he threw the intercept vs USA or the missed Tackle on Phillips in the qtr final
Hes rubbish last 4 years FACT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKumFYWzV8
Posted 20:29 06th February 2013
damo says...
@99call says
Darcy is a great defensive 12 ok, so Q why have a defensive 12? Look at Roberts/Tuilagi/Barrit/Mermoz/Nonu etc they score tries, Best has a better try scoring record than Darcy and the lad is playing beside Pele of Rugby day in day out, anyone playing with BOD would do better FACT
Posted 19:39 06th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Ireland are keeping their heads down and planning nasty things for England... Man this is going to be an INTENSE test match. Just looking at the six teams this feels like the tournament decider. It's a cup final. MUST WIN. Drop goals penalties, just come away from that 22 with points on the board, don't be afraid though, if its on go for the knock out punch! Can't beat a moment of rugby magic! Agony and Euphoria, which are you going to be feeling at 5pm??? Hairs are up on the back of my neck. Just bring it!
Posted 09:51 06th February 2013
blametheref says...
Can't understand the criticism D'arcy gets, as a combo with O' Driscoll they are usually excellent and the best centre pairing Ireland or Leinster have ever fielded, with D'arcy covering and tackling like a demon and usually getting over the gain line in contact...he does a huge amount of off the ball spade work and as a defensive unit with BOD their dual postioning, pressurizing, chasing and harrying is usually spot on. As a unit, D'arcy and BOD have an amazing winning record against England down the years and as far as I know they have never lost a game against them as a unit that's about 6 internationals in total. So I'm hoping big time that D'arcy and BOD are our 12 and 13 come Sunday!
Posted 09:38 06th February 2013
99call says...
You lot have got to be kidding McFadden is a speed bump as was shown in last years game against Wales, yeah Im not a big fan of Earls but we need Darcy in the middle of the park for defence
Damo, exactly what rugby have you been watching over the years to say that Darc tackles like a butterfly, admittedly hes not been playing well for a couple of seasons but this year hes playing well and TheShaw I'd rather see you at 12 than McFadden hes a winger at best and is not able to deal with the physical stresses of 12 so would you people stop just randomly picking names out and saying they should play 12 especially if its out of their normal position
We need to start with the same side to have any chance on beating england and have Fitz on the bench instead of Earls
Posted 09:07 06th February 2013
paddy91317 says...
ha i agree with both of you but were not exactly tripping over decent 12s are we?
Posted 08:53 06th February 2013
damo says...
Please both be unavailable"!!!!"" 2useless fellas as dynamic as the bull hayes with the tackling of a butterfly, between them they have cost uas more points than the rest of the team combined
Posted 23:05 05th February 2013
Theshaw says...
McFadden at 12 pleeeeeaaaassereeee!!
Posted 22:35 05th February 2013
paddy91317 says...
Rather have mcfadden start 12 if darcy isnt fit rather than moving drico and playing cave... i hope earls drops out as he is a liabity and fitzy or mcfadden come in to the 23 as they can really change our dynamic specially fitzgerald he looks dangerous when he gets the ball......
Posted 18:40 05th February 2013
melkdave says...
If D;Arcy and Earls dont make it ,i expect D.Cave will start at 13, and BOD will move to 12 .But it looks like D'Arcy will be passed fit,so im expecting the same center combination with BOD to be honest as last weekend.If fact unless injuries come in to play im expecting the same 15 to start ,and Cave or Trimble on the bench for Earls.as the only change in the 23.
Posted 17:13 05th February 2013