Wednesday 25 February 2015 13:35, UK
Ireland have confirmed that No 8 Jamie Heaslip will play no part in Sunday's Six Nations match with England in Dublin.
The British & Irish Lions star broke three vertebrae in the opening victory over France and although he is rehabilitating quickly, will not be on the pitch when the only two unbeaten sides in this year's competition clash at the Aviva Stadium.
Team manager Mick Kearney said: "There’s absolutely no chance of Jamie being involved against England. That was always the thought of the coaching staff and the medical staff.
There’s absolutely no chance of Jamie being involved against England. That was always the thought of the coaching staff and the medical staff.
"However, we would be somewhat hopeful that he will be fit for selection against Wales, in what is now Saturday fortnight.
"He’s only 10 days into the injury, so it’s still very early. He’s doing work with the Ireland medical and strength and conditioning team. But it’s a very light workload at this stage."
Promising Leinster back row Jordi Murphy is expected to deputise for Heaslip and his team-mate, Munster captain Peter O'Mahony, is confident the 23-year-old will rise to the occasion.
O'Mahony said: "Jordi is a quality player: he's well rounded, well able to carry hard and do the grunt-work, but he's got a good set of skills. He's got a lovely pass and he's a good lineout option: he's a quality all-rounded player.
"England are a hugely physical side and that always starts with your pack. Guys like Haskell have brought a huge physicality to what they do. Vunipola, guys like (Dave) Atwood are really stepping up to the mark.
"They are physical guys: they are always looking to get them on the front foot. Whenever England are on the front foot, it stems from their pack."
Looking ahead to facing off with Stuart Lancaster's men, Kearney added: "England have been really impressive - especially in their opening game against a full-strength Wales side in Cardiff on a Friday night.
“They went 10-0 down early, but they came back really well and effectively controlled the game from maybe halfway in the first half.
“Against Italy they put up a very big score, but at the same time they gave away a couple of tries. I think England are really well organised and very well coached. Stuart Lancaster has created a culture there that maybe hasn’t been there for the previous few years.
“They’re a really good, strong, aggressive team. They’re really good at scrums. They’re very good in the maul. They’ve got some really exciting backs. George Ford at 10 has added a new dimension to the game as well.
“So certainly it’s going to be a really difficult task. They’ve beaten us the last four times we’ve played them. It would be a nice one to win. There’s a huge amount at stake."
