Six Nations Championship: Paul O'Connell's shoulder injury is making "good progress", according to Ireland team doctor Gary O'Driscoll, and hopes are high the dynamic secondrow will be fit to face Wales in Sunday's Six Nations clash.
There were initial doubts that the injury sustained in the 43-31 defeat by France in Paris earlier this month would force O'Connell to miss the Lansdowne Road encounter.
O'Connell participated in squad training yesterday and will take part today as well. The Ireland team management will provide a further update on the injury tomorrow, when the team to meet Wales for the third match of the competition will be announced.
"Paul is now pain free in the shoulder and has progressed at a very pleasing rate," said O'Driscoll. "If Paul's rehab continues on this present curve, we are reasonably confident that he will be available for the weekend."
Prop Reggie Corrigan sustained a slight neck strain during Leinster's disappointing defeat in the Celtic League at Newport over the weekend and has been told to rest for 48 hours.
Ulster and Ireland A prop Bryan Young has been called up to the Ireland squad as cover for Corrigan.
Corrigan, in the absence of Marcus Horan, started for Ireland in Paris. Horan has recovered from his illness although he did not play for Munster against Glasgow in Thomond Park on Saturday.
Wales have also been hit with a number of injury worries, most notably captain Gareth Thomas, who is a doubt for Sunday's game after being taken to hospital in Bridgend last night suffering from severe migraine after he appeared on a rugby programme on BBC Wales, while wing Shane Williams is battling to recover from a "dead leg" and has yet to resume full training.
Newport Gwent Dragons outhalf Ceri Sweeney is a confirmed non-starter because of a groin injury. However, centre Matthew Watkins has recovered from a leg injury sustained during the 28-18 victory over Scotland last Sunday week.
"Matthew is taking a full part in training, but Shane will not get fully involved for a further couple of days," said Wales team physiotherapist Mark Davies.
Bath prop Matt Stevens, meanwhile, is battling to be fit for England's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Stevens, who started England's opening Six Nations games against both Wales and Italy, suffered a shoulder injury in English Premiership action for Bath against London Irish on Saturday.
It is understood the nine times-capped forward is unlikely to recover in time, meaning a possible recall for Leicester tighthead Julian White.
Wasps wing Tom Voyce, meanwhile, lost a couple of teeth during his club's Premiership draw with Bristol on Sunday, while team-mate Stuart Abbott suffered a "dead leg" in the same game.
Voyce started at fullback in the 31-16 victory over Italy nine days ago, and would be expected to retain that role at Murrayfield if Josh Lewsey is not declared fit following his shoulder problem which sidelined him from the Rome encounter.
England head coach Andy Robinson plans to announce the starting line-up this afternoon. "It is only 48 hours since (Stevens) played, and 24 hours for the Wasps boys," said Robinson. "We've got to see how they recovered in that time. Normally with injuries, we should know in 24 hours if they are going to be fit or not."
White, who would be favourite to take over from Stevens, has not started a Six Nations game since England beat Wales at Twickenham last term.
He has though, appeared twice off the bench in this season's Six Nations, replacing Andrew Sheridan on both occasions.
