Cian Healy in line to face England Saxons – but will miss Wasps game

Cian Healy is poised to feature for the Ireland Wolfhounds against the England Saxons at Musgrave Park on Friday week.

Despite a shortage of loosehead props, Leinster took the cautious approach by not registering Healy for European duty against Wasps this Saturday at the Ricoh Arena.

Jack McGrath's suspension for stamping on Rory Best ends on Sunday, so Michael Bent, with Jamie Hagan in reserve, will continue to deputise. Both Bent and Hagan are converted tighthead props.

Shoulder operation

The province has also decided to keep Sean O’Brien away from active duty, with the flanker returning from a second shoulder operation.

"Management have decided not to risk either player [Healy and O'Brien] this weekend and instead the next home game against the Newport Gwent Dragons on the February 15th is their focus," read a Leinster statement. It added that Rhys Ruddock and Zane Kirchner were also expected to be back for the Dragons.

With O'Brien not being rushed back for the Six Nations, an opportunity arises for three Leinster teammates – Jordi Murphy, Dominic Ryan and Jack Conan – to compete with Munster's Tommy O'Donnell for two backrow slots. Ulster's Iain Henderson could enter this equation should he recover from injury.

Less clouded

Ireland coach

Joe Schmidt

will release a 40-man training squad on Thursday.

The make-up of Schmidt's midfield is slightly less clouded after Ulster's Stuart Olding, along with Paddy Jackson, was ruled out for 12 weeks with elbow damage.

Robbie Henshaw's "low grade ankle sprain" means he's on ice until the Italy match on February 7th, with Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jared Payne or even Ian Madigan his potential centre partners.

Meanwhile, Connacht prop Nathan White will retun against La Rochelle this weekend.