RWC: Rob Kearney Fitness Update

Joe Schmidt has 31 fit players to choose from ahead of Sunday’s clash with Italy.

Rob Kearney was the biggest doubt after injuring his glute muscle while scoring against Romania, but the fullback has been cleared to play. A scan revealed a “mild gluteal strain”. Nothing too serious for the Leinster man.

There was more good news on the injury front for Ireland, with Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw also cleared to face the Italian.

Earls had to undergo Return-To-Play protocol after receiving a bang on the head at Wembley, but can line out in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday after completing the third stage of mandatory testing.

Henshaw, the only member of the squad yet to see any action at the World Cup, trained fully again after recovering from a hamstring injury.