Paddy Wallace’s facial injuries are not expected to prevent the Ulster centre from appearing against England on Saturday week. Wallace has been forced out of both Six Nations matches to date, suffering a nasty cut against France and then injuring his eye in Rome.

With Gordon D’Arcy set to put in an 80-minute shift for Leinster against the Scarlets this weekend, Wallace will come under renewed pressure for a starting role at Croke Park.

But the eye injury that saw him replaced by a resurgent D’Arcy during the first half of the game at Stadio Flaminio won’t be a factor when Ireland coach Declan Kidney names his side early next week.

Kidney conducted his first training session since returning from Italy in Cork earlier today and team manager Paul McNaughton reported no injury concerns. McNaughton added that Wallace was “recovering quickly” and will be available for selection next week.