Ireland star doubtful for France clash

INJURY UPDATE: Robbie Henshaw is a doubt for Ireland's Six Nations clash against France on Sunday after failing to shake off a dead leg.

Ireland have taken the unusual step of delaying confirmation of their wider squad for the Dublin encounter with Les Bleus until Wednesday.

Head coach Joe Schmidt will give British and Irish Lions star Henshaw every chance to prove his fitness, while flyhalf Joey Carbery is still inching back after hamstring trouble.

"Robbie Henshaw is improving more slowly than hoped and he will continue his rehab this week," the Irish Rugby Football Union (RFU) said in a statement.

"Joey Carbery is progressing well through his hamstring rehab and will be managed across the early part of the week. Andrew Conway has fully recovered from cramp suffered post the Italy game."

The statement continued: "Dan Leavy will continue to increase his running volume outside of team training in the early part of this week.

"The Ireland squad for round four of the championship will be confirmed tomorrow morning."

Henshaw, 25, has not featured since Ireland's 32-20 opening-round defeat to England in Dublin, where he was deployed at full-back for just the second time in his Test career.

AFP