Kearney, Bowe and Ferris ease Kidney injury woes

WITH just two days separating the games against Connacht and France, Declan Kidney’s resources were always going to be stretched this week, so yesterday’s injury update from Carton House was timely and welcome in equal measure.

Rob Kearney won’t feature in either of those ties but more important is the confirmation that the Leinster back suffered only a slight groin strain against France last weekend and should be available for selection against England on Saturday week.

Kearney’s temporary absence has been more than tempered by the expectation that Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Stephen Ferris and even Tommy Bowe may all play some part in Donnybrook tomorrow or at the Aviva two days later.