Ireland's D'Arcy and Earls doubtful for England

DUBLIN (AFP) –

Keith Earls of Ireland (L) is walked from the field injured on June 23, 2012. Ireland are waiting on the fitness of backs Gordon D’Arcy and Earls ahead of their Six Nations international against England in Dublin on Sunday.

Ireland are waiting on the fitness of backs Gordon D’Arcy and Keith Earls ahead of their Six Nations international against England in Dublin on Sunday.

Experienced centre D’Arcy suffered a dead leg and Earls, his replacement at the Millennium Stadium, a shoulder injury as Ireland opened their Six Nations campaign with a 30-22 victory away to defending Grand Slam champions Wales.

“Gordon suffered a nasty dead leg but is recovering better than we expected,” Ireland team manager Mick Kearney said Tuesday.

“The prognosis is still guarded but we are more hopeful than we were yesterday. He will do modified training today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday).

“Keith took a blow to his left shoulder that was quite sore. The prognosis is guarded.

“He will do modified training today and tomorrow and will be reviewed by a specialist tomorrow.”

Meanwhile Kearney said forward Peter O’Mahony, who took a blow to the head in Cardiff, was recovering well and would play this weekend, subject to International Rugby Board (IRB) concussion regulations.

“Peter took a bang to the head in a tackle and is being treated as concussion. He was fine after the game and was well today,” Kearney said.

“He’ll follow the IRB return to playing guidelines and it depends on how he recovers during the week.”

Both Brian O’Driscoll, outstanding against Wales on his return to Test rugby following injury, and Mike Ross trained on Tuesday despite sustaining a head wound and cramp respectively against Wales.

England too started the Six Nations with a win, defeating Scotland 38-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Both Ireland and England are due to name their teams on Friday.