Paul O'Connell backing Ireland's back-ups after Andrew Porter ruled out

The Leinster prop will miss the last two Six Nations games of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury during the 57-6 defeat of Italy at the Aviva Stadium last Sunday

Forwards coach Paul O’Connell and Jack Conan

Paul O’Connell admits that Andrew Porter’s absence against England next week will be a loss to Ireland, but he has backed Cian Healy and Dave Kilcoyne to step up to the plate for the crunch Six Nations encounter at Twickenham.

Porter has been ruled out of the last two games of the tournament – Ireland finish up with a home tie against Scotland – after suffering an ankle injury during the 57-6 defeat of Italy at the Aviva Stadium last Sunday.