Ireland waiting on fitness of key trio

Ireland’s hopes of spoiling New Zealand’s perfect season could be decided tomorrow — 24 hours before the sides are due to clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt should know by then whether three of his key men will be fit to face the world champions.

Jonathan Sexton (hamstring), Rob Kearney (rib) and Brian O’Driscoll (calf) are all struggling to make it in time and forwards coach John Plumtree admitted yesterday it was far from ideal to have such important players unable to take a full part in on-field preparations.