Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson are expected to be available for selection for Ireland's Six Nations Championship match against Scotland at the Aviva stadium on Saturday (2.15), having been cleared to train fully this week.
The pair missed Ireland’s victory over Wales but according to an official IRFU communiqué Furlong (hamstring) and Henderson (hamstring) have recovered from their respective injuries sustained in the win over Italy last month.
Despite impressive performances by Andrew Porter and James Ryan in the victory over Wales, the availability of the two Lions represents a significant boost ahead of the game against the in-form Scots.
Ulster hooker Rob Herring has shaken off an elbow problem that precluded his involvement in training ahead of the Welsh match and he returns to the squad in place of Munster's Niall Scannell who is bothered by a rib problem picked up in a Pro14 match against the Glasgow Warriors.
Leinster wing Barry Daly has been called up as Andrew Conway continues to be troubled by a knee issue. Niall Scannell and Conway are both expected to be ready to train with Ireland if required in the build-up to the final Six Nations match against England at Twickenham on Saturday week.
Ultan Dillane will join the Irish squad on Wednesday evening on his return from South Africa having been involved in Connacht's last gasp defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend.
Due to the heavy snow at their Carton House base, the squad trained at Abbotstown late on Monday afternoon. A spokesperson for the team confirmed: “There’s a grass pitch prepared for us (at Abbotstown) which is actually our Sevens pitch. The guys are working on the pitch here (Carton House) and it should be ready to go on (Tuesday).”
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will announce the team to take on Scotland on Thursday afternoon following training that morning.
