O'Sullivan: Stringer looks likely

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Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan is pleased by the speed of Peter Stringer's rehabilitation and will make a final decision on his selection for the RBS 6 Nations match against England in the next two days.

‘The situation with Peter is encouraging at the moment,’ he said.

‘His progress slowed down this week but he had a workout yesterday and there has been no adverse reaction to it so far.

‘We'll give it another 48 hours and then take another look at the situation.’

O'Sullivan claimed Murphy had paid the price for his indifferent form with Trimble edging a narrow call on the bench.

‘The exclusion of Geordan will be an issue for some but with Brian back and Shane on the wing it was a scramble for the utility position on bench,’ he said.

‘It was a tough call but that's where we were. Geordan is not firing on all cylinders at the moment and Andrew has come back stronger.’