IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt has issued a fresh injury update following Saturday’s bruising Six Nations defeat to France in Paris.
The bad news for Ireland is that it’s been confirmed that flanker Sean O’Brien suffered a grade-two hamstring tear in the first-half at the Stade de France, which rules him out of Saturday week’s game against England at Twickenham.
There are also doubts over the availability of Mike McCarthy, Jared Payne and Dave Kearney for the trip to London to face Eddie Jones’ side, who have started their campaign with wins over Scotland and Italy.
McCarthy will follow the return-to-play protocols and see a specialist after picking up a concussion. Kearney is “very likely to miss the England game” due to an AC-joint injury, according to Schmidt. Payne, meanwhile, won’t train this week and his fitness will be monitored after he sustained a grade-one hamstring strain.
On a more encouraging note, Schmidt says out-half Johnny Sexton “is certainly feeling a lot better” after picking up what has been described as a whiplash injury around his neck and shoulder.
Front-rowers Cian Healy and Mike Ross will also train with Ireland this week after they both returned from injury to start for Leinster in their Guinness Pro12 win against Zebre on Friday night.
Schmidt added that Healy and Ross are due to line out for their province again this Saturday against Cardiff Blues, and a decision on their involvement against England will be made thereafter.
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