Heaslip remains 'small doubt' for Italy clash

Jamie Heaslip looks likely to make Ireland's opening RBS 6 Nations opener in Rome on Saturday although team manager Michael Kearney admitted there remained a "small doubt" over the vice captain's fitness.

The Leinster No. 8 injured his shoulder against Ulster at the RDS on 3 January and despite playing in the Champions Cup games against Castres and Wasps, the injury has continued to niggle the 31-year-old.

Speaking at the team's Carton House base today, Kearney said: "Jamie Heaslip continued to rehab his shoulder and we are hopeful he will train fully tomorrow. There is some small doubt about him.

"He has rehabbed really well and Jamie being the professional athlete that he is, he really does look after his body really well and worked on it over the weekend, so the next day or two will tell a lot.

"It would be a small degree of doubt."

While Mike McCarthy (concussion) and Fergus McFadden (rib cartilage) are ruled out of the Stadio Olimpico clash after injuries picked up in Friday's Wolfhounds defeat to England Saxons, and out-half Jonathan Sexton remains sidelined due to concussion, there was a positive report regarding a number of players set to return from injury.

Sean O'Brien has had no ill-effects from his return to action against the Saxons and similarly, Iain Henderson, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross and Keith Earls came through with a clean bill of health.

Conor Murray is expected to be available for Saturday's game, with Kearney stating: "We had an open training session in the Aviva on Friday and Conor took a full part in that.

"There were some minor contact in it but he came through it really well and we expect that Conor will be available for selection."

Eoin Reddan, meanwhile, remains doubtful as he recovers from a knee ligament injury.

As for other players, Kearney added: "Dave Kearney has recovered well and he should train fully today. Luke Fitzgerald had a bout of vomiting on Thursday night but is now fully recovered and will train as normal today.

"Cian Healy is doing a test at the moment and if he comes through that test he will be allowed train fully for the rest of the week.

"If that happens, given the athlete that he is, I would expect he would be in consideration for the French game [on 14 February]."

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