Cian Healy and Mike Ross return to Ireland squad

Jonathan Sexton will resume training on Monday afternoon with the Ireland squad at Carton House having recovered from rolling his ankle during a session in Mullingar last week that saw him retire early as a precautionary move.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney offered an update on injury issues ahead of Saturday's Six Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham.

Jared Payne has been rehabbing a hamstring injury sustained against France and is expected to take a full part in training on Tuesday, having stepped up his running in recent days.

Keith Earls (concussion) trained fully last week and there are no lingering issues while Simon Zebo has recovered from the knee injury that removed him from consideration for selection ahead of the French game.

Dave Foley, Jordi Murphy and Craig Gilroy come in for the injured trio of Mike McCarthy, Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney.

Cian Healy and Mike Ross return to the squad after proving their fitness. Tadgh Furlong and Rob Herring are both suffering with thigh muscle injuries so will remain with their provinces to rehab, while prop James Cronin has been released back to Munster.

Healy started Leinster’s victory over the Cardiff Blues on Saturday while Ross came on as a replacement in that match.

Kearney explained: “Jared Payne is continuing his rehab and the hope is that he will train fully tomorrow. Johnny Sexton rolled his ankle last Friday and sat out the remainder of the session in Mullingar as a precaution. He will train today.

Simone Zebo’s knee has settled down really well and again Simon will train today. Tadhg Furlong and Rob Herring both have thigh muscle injuries, so will not join up with the squad this week. Keith Earls is very good. He trained fully in Mullingar last week and is fully fit.

“Jared has been continuing his rehab, he did some running in Mullingar last week and will continue with that rehab today. The hope is that he will train fully tomorrow. It’s a bit of a wait and see. I’d say the expectation is that he will train fully tomorrow, so we’ll know a little bit more by this time tomorrow.”