Donnacha Ryan returns to Ireland squad

Donnacha Ryan could see his first Six Nations action of the season next weekend after making the cut for Ireland's training squad to prepare to face England.

Joe Schmidt has named a 33-man training group that will complete the final preparations for Ireland's Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Leinster wing Luke Fitzgerald has not recovered from his hip problem, so will now miss the England trip.

Ryan returned to Munster duty for the first time since December in Saturday’s 36-8 home Pro12 victory over Zebre, having fully recovered from knee surgery.

The 30-year-old's timely return offsets the loss of Ulster's Dan Tuohy with a broken arm, suffered in the 26-3 round two victory over Wales in Dublin.

Iain Henderson, Mike McCarthy and now Ryan will compete for a slot on the bench to cover the starting second row pair of captain Paul O'Connell and Devin Toner.

Schmidt's extended squad shows few changes, save for the return of Felix Jones, with wing Fergus McFadden and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan also available again after injury.

There is still no place in the panel for Simon Zebo, despite the Munster wing's eye-catching display for his province at the weekend.

Following wins over Scotland and Wales at Lansdowne Road, Ireland take on England at Twickenham on Saturday, chasing their first Triple Crown since their 2009 Grand Slam.

England, meanwhile, have been dealt a blow with the news that prop Dan Cole will miss the remainder of the campaign because of a bulging disc in his neck which is trapping a nerve.

Cole needs a period of rest after the injury was diagnosed when the Leicester tighthead experienced weakness during a gym session at St George’s Park last week.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: "It's massively disappointing for Dan, Leicester and England but the important thing is that this has been diagnosed and that Dan gets the appropriate rest and treatment."

Cole's injury will be assessed further on Tuesday evening but it is a major blow to England's Six Nations hopes. Henry Thomas and Bath's David Wilson are contenders to replace the 26-year-old — but Thomas' international action has been limited while Wilson has only just returned from a calf injury and as a result is unlikely to be ready to face Ireland.

Ireland squad

Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Seán Cronin (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster).

Backs: Isaac Boss (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92). Andrew Trimble (Ulster).