Provincial stars do best to catch Schmidt’s eye

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will today wait for a clean bill of health on his returning internationals before naming his squad for the Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Schmidt has delayed naming his squad for what he considers the toughest game of the campaign as Ireland bid for a first Triple Crown since the Grand Slam season of 2009, until he receives an update on the well-being of all his players as they return to the Irish camp at Carton House after a weekend of club and provincial action.

Of his frontline starters from the opening victories over Scotland and Wales, only Johnny Sexton saw duty as Racing Metro used the former Leinster man off the bench in their French Top 14 win over Bayonne.