Injury news a much-needed positive for Ireland after Six Nations defeat

The cloud that enveloped Ireland at Murrayfield over the weekend produced a belated silver lining today with the news that Joe Schmidt’s squad had at least returned from Scotland more or less physically unscathed, writes Brendan O'Brien.

The mental scars will take longer to heal - and the damage done to both Triple Crown and Grand Slam hopes has been irreparable - but the relatively clean bill of health starts Week Two off on a somewhat positive note.