Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney will delay naming his side to face England until Friday afternoon following yesterday's bruising win over Wales. Ireland opened their Six Nations account with a 30-22 win in Cardiff but a gruelling second half, where Ireland were forced to repeatedly put their bodies on the line to keep the Welsh at bay, is bound to have taken a toll.
With the players return to training on Tuesday the decision to move the team announcement from Wednesday suggests that there are some battered and bruised bodies among the squad with Keith Earls the most serious doubt after injury his shoulder late in the game. The Munster centre, who had come in for Gordon D’Arcy midway through the second half, is due to see a specialist later in the week.
D’Arcy had looked in considerable discomfort when he limped off, the Leinster wingers absence keenly felt thereafter, but he only suffered a dead leg and “is recovering well and is expected to return to training later this week as well,” according to the IRFU.
Mike Ross was another casualty at the Millennium Stadium but his withdrawal was due to “severe calf cramp” while Peter O’Mahony is believed to be fine after taking a bang to the head. Brian O’Driscoll needed stitches on a cut above his ear while new captain Jamie Heaslip also required treatment for a cut on his leg. Both players should be available for training.
