Assistant coach Richie Murphy has refused to rule any Ireland player out ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash with France this weekend after Leinster back Fergus McFadden was called up to the squad as cover.
Flankers Sean O’Brien – who took no part in last week’s draw with Wales – and Tommy O’Donnell are back in full training, while winger Keith Earls is working through head injury assessment protocols.
However, Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble and Jonathan Sexton all sat out of training on Tuesday.
Matters are not helped by the fact that Ireland only have a six-day turnaround from Sunday’s game, but Murphy says Joe Schmidt and the rest of the coaching staff will not be pushed into any quick decisions.
“We are squeezed for time but no player is going to be ruled out (yet),” he said. “We will be picking the best team to go to war with France at the weekend. Keith is not ruled out at the moment.
“He is in the middle of that return to play protocol so we will just see how he progresses over the next few days. It is a little bit unique to push selection back a little, to see who is fit and healthy, and who is ready to go.”
Despite Ireland’s lengthy injury list, they are still on track for a third RBS 6 Nations title in three years after holding out Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
And Schmidt could also choose to call upon a returning Ulster trio in Paris this weekend after they took part in last Friday’s victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.
“All those players who played at the weekend have come back to camp, Rob Herring, Paddy Jackson, Stuart McCloskey, all returned fit and healthy,” added Murphy.
“Mike Ross and Cian Healy are still with Leinster and seem to be progressing well. I think both of them are available for their game (against Zebre) on Friday night. They are not in the Ireland squad at the moment.”
Click here for the complete 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixture list with TV coverage
