Stringer set to start against England

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Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer has been passed fit for Saturday's RBS Six Nations Championship clash with England at Croke Park.

Stringer sustained a fractured hand in Ireland's Championship opener against Wales and missed the 20-17 defeat by France a week later.

The scrum-half slot in the team to face England was left open but today Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan revealed the Munster veteran has been given the all clear for the crucial showdown with England.

O'Sullivan said: 'We are happy that Peter's hand has healed and that he has shown no negative reaction to the injury during training over the last few days.'

Isaac Boss, who was on standby to continue deputising for Stringer if he failed to recover in time, takes his place on the bench with Eoin Reddan dropping out of the match day 22.