Sean O'Brien is out of the trip to face England on Saturday week after the IRFU confirmed today that he suffered a grade 2 hamstring tear in action against France.
His future in this year's Championship remains in doubt while problems with the same muscle means Jared Payne will not train this week.
The centre played on against Les Bleus with a grade one hamstring strain that he sustained in the first-half but head coach Joe Schmidt explained on Irish Rugby TV why Payne stayed on the fieldJohnny Sexton is reported to be feeling much better after suffering a number of knocks to his neck and shoulder and Schmidt gave a brief update on the outhalf's conditionWinger Dave Kearney also looks unlikely to be fit for the trip to Twickenham with an injured AC joint and sore neck and shoulder.
Mike McCarthy is following return-to-play protocols after he suffered a concussion injury but the lock will also be seen by a specialist.
Despite the poor start to the Championship - Schmidt remains optimistic
