Schmidt to decide on Ireland squad after injury updates

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt should be in a position this afternoon to make a decision on his playing resources ahead of Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash with an unbeaten England.

The Irish squad will train at Carton House and the main injury concern ahead of the Twickenham game, Jared Payne, will have to prove he's fully recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the 10-9 defeat to France.

The centre played to the finish of that match out of necessity but has undergone a structured rehabilitation programme in the interim that was accelerated to some running in Mullingar last week.

Ideally, Schmidt prefers players under consideration for selection to take a full part in Tuesday’s contact session on the week of a test match, and while he has made the occasional exception, he’d like the prognosis on Payne to be positive today.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney said: "It's a bit of a wait and see. I'd say the expectation is that he [Payne] will train fully [today]." He added that "we'll know a little bit more" following training this afternoon.

Jonathan Sexton took a full part in yesterday's training, having sat out last Friday's session in Mullingar after rolling an ankle. The Irish outhalf apparently demonstrated no ill effects to neck, sternum or ankle problems.

Kearney confirmed that Keith Earls (concussion), having been sidelined for the game against France, had successfully negotiated all the return-to-play protocols in time to train last week.

Simon Zebo’s knee, which caused him, too, to miss the France match, had also “settled down really well,” allowing him to train yesterday.

Munster secondrow Dave Foley, Leinster flanker Jordi Murphy and Ulster wing Craig Gilroy replaced the injured trio of Mike McCarthy (concussion), Sean O'Brien (hamstring) and Dave Kearney (shoulder) in an Irish squad that also welcomed back Leinster props Cian Healy and Mike Ross.

Kearney said: "Cian and Mike both joined the squad. They both participated in Leinster's last two games and both got a significant amount of game time at the weekend against Cardiff, so they're in, fully fit and available for selection. Tadhg Furlong and Rob Herring have got thigh muscle injuries and been sent back to rehab."

James Cronin was released back to Munster.

Kearney smiled when asked whether Ireland's incoming defence coach, Andy Farrell – whose son Owen will line out in the centre for England – would be able to offer any insight this week.

“Andy Farrell is obviously contracted to the [English] RFU and his contract states he cannot be involved with any other Six Nations team for the duration of the tournament,” he said. “So we will abide by that particular condition . . . We look forward to seeing him on April 1st.”