| Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Sunday, 11 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra & BBC Radio Ulster; live text updates, report, reaction & highlights on BBC Sport website & app |
Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt says he is hopeful that Garry Ringrose will be available for Sunday’s Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin.
Ringrose missed the win over France in Marseille with a shoulder injury he sustained while playing for Leinster on 20 January.
The 29-year-old did not train on Wednesday.
But Catt says the centre is “progressing nicely” and should be available to face the Italians.
“Ringer (Ringrose), he’s coming through nicely,” said Ireland attack coach Catt.
“Obviously didn’t train today so he’s progressing nicely and we’ll see how they pull in the next couple of days.”
Catt added that wing Calvin Nash, who scored his first international try in the bonus-point win over France, and full-back Hugo Keenan are among those carrying “bumps and bruises”.
“We’re pretty confident that everybody will be fit to train fully tomorrow and obviously selection on Friday,” added Catt.
“There are a few bumps and bruises, but we’re alright.”
Head coach Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to face Italy on Friday as the reigning Grand Slam champions aim to extend their winning Six Nations run to 10 matches.
In previous years, Ireland have often used home matches against Italy to rotate, but Catt says the Azzurri were “very impressive” while running England close in a 27-24 defeat in Rome last week.
“They didn’t have a great World Cup and put their hands up to that as a group of players and for them to turn around and put in a performance like that against a good England side was very impressive.
“They’re obviously trying to impress the new coach [Gonzalo Quesada] as well. I just thought the way they played, they didn’t go away from their DNA, when they got going they caused England some serious problems and scored some very good tries.
“It’s a team that really works hard for each other. Especially defensively, their work-rate off the ball is huge and you can see that. We need to make sure we do our bits and pieces right to try and break that down.”
