As Ireland look to end a disappointing Six Nations defence on a high note, they will once again be without the services of Rob Kearney.
The full-back’s hamstring injury remains the issue and head coach Joe Schmidt admitted that it wasn’t worth the risk to put his fitness to the test this week.
“That hamstring is still niggling him, so it would be a risk to push him on this week,” Schmidt said.
“We’ve decided to leave that to let him rehab fully. He’s probably only a week or two away, but that’s probably a too tight for us.”
Andrew Conway is called up to the 35-man squad in place of the Leinster man, and otherwise, there is a reasonably clean bill of health for those involved in the 58-15 victory over Italy.
Andrew Trimble, Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls all received stitches after getting roughed up on Saturday, while Cian Healy and Eoin Reddan are closing in on returns, with Dave Kilcoyne also added to the panel as cover for Healy.
“We came out of the weekend pretty well unscathed. A few stitches and a bloody nose for Andrew Trimble but that’s about it,” Schmidt said.
“Eoin Reddan and Cian Healy look like they are ready to go for tomorrow’s training and if that goes well then they’ll come into the frame.”
With the quest for a third title in a row long consigned to the dustbin, there is only pride – and bragging rights over Schmidt’s former boss at Clermont – at stake when Scotland visit the Aviva Stadium on the back of yesterday’s superb victory over France.
“My old mate Vern Cotter is there, he’s obviously a very good friend of mine and we know each other very well,” Schmidt added. “There’ll be a few ripostes going back and forth during this week, but it’s all about the team and the players.
“There’s a lot to play for. If we lose we’re fifth, but if we win we could get as high as third, and that top half of the table finish is a pretty solid result I think if we can manage to get there.”
