Kearney in fitness race to make Italy clash

Ireland’s fears over Rob Kearney’s fitness have eased but the full-back remains a doubt for Sunday’s World Cup Pool clash with Italy.

Joe Schmidt’s side can seal a quarter-final berth with victory at London’s Olympic Stadium and there was good news in yesterday’s medical update from forwards coach Simon Easterby concerning Kearney, injured in the act of scoring a try moments after coming on as a replacement in the 44-10 mauling of Romania at Wembley last Sunday.

“Rob has a mild strain in his glute but it is mild and we’re hopeful that he’ll be taking part in training this week at some stage,” Easterby said. “Not today, but (it is) not as bad as we feared at the weekend so pretty happy.”