Ireland scrumhalf Peter Stringer sat out a portion of training this afternoon as a precaution as the side continued their preparations for Saturday's visit of England to Croke Park.
The Munster scrumhalf avoided the "contact" session to allow the broken bone in his hand a little more time to heal. Stringer picked up the injury during the 19-9 win over Wales in the Millennium Stadium
There is no longer a concern over the fitness of captain Brian O'Driscoll, who, along with Stringer, was forced to miss the defeat to France in Croke Park, after pulling up with a hamstring injury, and eventually being replaced in Cardiff.
Both he and outhalf Ronan O'Gara took full part in today's session at St. Gerard's School in Bray. The few days off last week appear to have helped O'Gara recover from a swollen ankle that emerged after the France game.
Also training with the squad were late additions Kieran Lewis, Trevor Hogan and Robert Kearney of Leinster, Munster wing Barry Murphy, and the Ulster duo of Bryan Young and Stephen Ferris.
O'Sullivan is due to name his starting line-up tomorrow.
Stringer will undoubtedly feature at the weekend if passed fit. His quick hands were missed against France as the side struggled to get the ball out wide, away from the French backrow, and into scoring positions.
Most significant, however, is the merciful recovery of Brian O'Driscoll. As long as a disaster is avoided between now and Saturday the captain will take his place at outside centre. Hamstring injuries do, of course, leave nagging concerns for some players, but the former Lions captain is not one to do things by halves.
O'Sullivan will firstly look for him to haul Ireland out of the blocks quicker than in the last two games. The early dominance shown by France in Croke Park owed much to the elusive running of David Marty and Yannick Jauzion who, on more than one occasion, evaded tackles and made too much ground.
A repeat of O'Driscoll's tackling against Wales should prevent Andy Farrell and Mike Tindall from breaking the gain line too often in midfield.
O'Driscoll's presence will most probably mean a return to the wing for Shane Horgan - who moved inside as cover against France - and the demotion of Geordan Murphy to the bench.
Murphy's attacking instincts and ability have never been in question but his missed tackle on Rafael Ibanez to allow France in for their opening try is likely to cost him a starting place.
In the backrow Simon Easterby will be pushed hard by Ulster's Neil Best. The latter's all action introduction against France, the highlight of which was a memorable steal of French ball that led, eventually, to Ireland's would-be winner from O'Gara, may just sway it in his favour.
Unlike most onlookers, O'Sullivan does not appear to have doubts over the hooker and the stats appear to back him up. Ireland won 20 from 21 lineouts against France and are therefore likely to stick with Rory Best in the frontrow, with Jerry Flannery on the bench.
