Kidney likely to go with same starting XV

Ireland coach Declan Kidney looks set to stick with the same starting XV which beat Wales for Sunday’s Six Nations showdown against England at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland’s main injury concerns arising from the bruising 30-22 victory in Cardiff last Saturday, were set to be cleared to play when they reported back to camp at Carton House after a down day yesterday. And with Gordon D’Arcy, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Keith Earls all set to resume training today, Kidney will be free to announce an unchanged team at lunchtime today.

A tightened calf had seen O’Brien sit out training on Wednesday for a session which saw D’Arcy (dead leg), Earls (shoulder) and O’Mahony (head), all take a full part.