D'Arcy and Wallace face late fitness test

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy will face a late fitness test ahead of his side's final Six Nations clash with Scotland this weekend.

D’Arcy limped off during Ireland’s 27-12 win against Wales and is one of a number of injury doubts boss Declan Kidney has to face.

Ireland remains on course for the Triple Crown but Kidney will be hoping Munster flanker David Wallace recovers from a scratch to the eye.

Cian Healy has a bruised shoulder but should be fit for the farewell Croke Park Six Nations contest, while weekend two-try hero Keith Earls is struggling with tight calf muscles.

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Wallace aware of Williams threat

Ireland flanker David Wallace has warned his team-mates of the threat of Wales captain Martyn Williams ahead of the Six Nations clash at Croke Park.

Wallace toured South Africa with Williams on the British Lions tour last summer and saw first-hand the qualities of the Cardiff Blues star, who has been named skipper in place of Ryan Jones.

Williams replaced Wallace for the third test win against the World Champions but the Ireland No.7 can’t wait to go toe-to-toe this time around.

“Martyn is a very good footballer. He’s very good at poaching the ball,” said Wallace. “If you don’t have good numbers around rucks, you leave yourself open for him to pilfer the ball.

“He can play like an outside-half or a winger at times – he has soft hands and can kick too and it’s hard to pick faults in his game.

“I’ve also done two tours with him – he’s a good leader and the guys will want to play for him.”

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O'Driscoll shook off virus to star against England

Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll has admitted he was fighting off a virus when he helped his side down England 20-16 in last weekend's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The 31-year-old, who was stretchered off with 15 minutes to play after being accidently struck on the head by team-mate Paul O’Connell, went down with the bug the day before the game.

And O’Driscoll paid tribute to the rest of the squad for taking the pressure off his shoulders for the clash with England.

“I was happy enough just making the game,” said O’Driscoll. “I was thankful to see the rain because it slowed the game down a bit.

“The illness was definitely a distraction and I was grateful to Paul O’Connell and Jamie Heaslip, amongst others, who did most of the talking prior to the match.

“I managed to camouflage the fact that I wasn’t feeling great reasonably well.”

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Heaslip sits out Irish training

Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip was the only player to sit out training as Declan Kidney drilled his troops ahead of next week's Six Nations clash against Wales.

Heaslip is still suffering the effects of a sprained ankle picked up in the victory over England but his absence from the Carton House session is merely seen as a precautionary measure.

The other casualty from the 20-16 win at Twickenham – Ireland’s sixth defeat of England in their last seven meetings – was captain Brian O’Driscoll who was accidentally kneed in the head by teammate Paul O’Connell.

But after undergoing a compulsory cognitive test, centre O’Driscoll was given the all clear to take part in the full training sessions.

Ulster duo Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace were also part of the session, despite not starting against England, although they are still due to play for their region against the Scarlets on Friday night.

Kidney was also able to call on the services of Leicester winger Johne Murphy after the Tigers decided they did not require his services for the rematch of last year’s Guinness Premiership play-off final against London Irish.

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Ruddock pick of strong Irish Under-20 squad

Ireland head coach Allen Clarke admits his squad will be taking a step into the unknown when they lock horns with Italy in their opening Under-20 Six Nations Championship clash.

Rhys Ruddock, who featured in last year's tournament, is the stand-out name in Clarke's 26-man squad after making his Leinster bow against the Dragons in December.

Ruddock, son of Worcester and former Wales coach Mike Ruddock, is joined in the squad by six other players who have previously represented the under-20's.

And after being pipped to the post by France last year, Clarke has called on his side to hit the ground running in their pursuit of top spot this year.

"We all recognise the potential of the squad while respecting the challenges ahead, the first of which is to start the Six Nations campaign against Italy at home with a good performance," said Clarke.

"Being the first game of the championship means we have little knowledge of the opposition so our concentration is to be accurate with and without the ball.

"The attitude of the players has been excellent, both in their individual attention and motivation while developing with their provincial rugby and fitness coaches and while playing for their clubs.

"The warm up games against the Provincial Development sides have provided the opportunity to develop our game and identify the areas we need to improve."

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