Jamie Heaslip a minor concern ahead of Six Nations opener against Italy

Jamie Heaslip represents a slight concern ahead of Ireland's opening match against Italy in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday as he seeks to shrug off lingering minor discomfort from a shoulder injury.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney said: "I'd say there is probably some small doubt about him but he has rehabbed really well. Jamie, being the professional athlete that he is, really does look after his body extremely well and would have worked on it over the weekend so I suppose the next day or two would tell a lot. But there would be a small degree of doubt about him. Yes."

The Leinster and Ireland number eight sustained the damage in a Pro12 game against Ulster last month but has managed to play despite the issue, and is likely to do so again at the weekend.

Jonathan Sexton will see his French neurosurgeon on Thursday when he is expected to be given the all-clear to resume contact work, and is expected to take a full part in training next week with a view to being available for the match against France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week.

Cian Healy underwent a final test on his hamstring and providing he satisfies the medics he will be permitted to return to full-contact training. He won't be available for the Italy game but Kearney admitted: "If that happens with Cian, given the athlete he is, I would expect that he would be in consideration for the French game."

Dave Kearney (shoulder) and Luke Fitzgerald (bug) took a full part in training, Eoin Reddan (knee) resumes contact work, while the prognosis on Ireland's first choice scrumhalf Conor Murray is positive.

“He trained well on Friday and he’ll progress to full contact training this week. We would expect Conor to be available for selection,” Kearney concluded.

Mike McCarthy is following the return to play protocols following a concussion and hasn’t yet been ruled out of the Italy game.

Seán O'Brien is a bit stiff and sore, a natural legacy following his first game in six months but trained fully, while the Ireland team manager also pointed out that Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Iain Henderson and Keith Earls all benefited from the Wolfhounds match.

The Ireland team to play Italy will be announced on Thursday.