Ireland duo Rhys Ruddock and Dave Foley face fitness race for Italy game

Forwards Rhys Ruddock and Dave Foley both face a race against time to make Ireland's opening Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday week.

Munster secondrow Foley was replaced by Billy Holland at half-time of Sunday's 65-10 win over Sale at Thomond Park and a medical update released by the IRFU confirmed that the player suffered ligament damage to a wrist. Foley will see a specialist this week to ascertain if surgery is required on the injury.

Leinster backrow Ruddock suffered a broken arm in the win over Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium before Christmas and will not join up with the extended squad ar Carton House, continuing his recovery with the province.

Jamie Heaslip will not take part in any contact work this week as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury.

Conor Murray will undergo further scans on a neck injury , while fellow scrumhalf will stay at Carton House for rehab after straining medial ligaments in a knee in the game against Wasps.

The good news for coach Joe Schmidt is that Connacht scrumhalf Kieran Marmion is available to train, while Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls are also over knocks and available to train.

There was no update from the IRFU on the shoulder injury suffered by Dave Kearney in the first minute of the game against Wasps.