Rob Kearney fit but not guaranteed place

Rob Kearney came through a full session with Ireland today but is not guaranteed to slot straight back into the first XV against Wales.

Kearney completed a full session in Greystones today prior to tomorrow's selection announcement for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales.

Captain and centre Brian O'Driscoll and number eight Jamie Heaslip all took a full part in the session.

But Kearney is not guaranteed to come straight back into the starting line-up having missed the match against England with Geordan Murphy impressing in his absence.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Michael Corcoran, Ireland attack coach Alan Gaffney said:' 'Rob Kearney trained today and came through the whole session. It looks like he'll be okay. We've got to go through the selection process.

'Obviously Geordan played very, very well against England and he played extremely well on the weekend (for Leicester) against London Irish, which we kept a close eye on.'

But Kearney is available and his speedy recovery may play a role in the selection debate, while Ireland will have a full deck to choose from in the other positions.

Gaffney added: 'Kearns is back and he hasn't been out for that long since he got hurt in the first 20 minutes against France. Everybody else is available apart from the long-term injuries.'

O'Driscoll was forced off in the final quarter of the 16-20 victory against England after being struck on the head by Paul O'Connell's knee.

Gaffney added that O'Driscoll has 'recovered well' from the blow, which clearly staggered him.

O'Driscoll subsequently described England centre and Lions team-mate Riki Flutey as 'the villain of the piece' for his part in the clash.

The Ireland captain wrote in his IRFU blog: 'As for the blame game, I'm beginning to come round to the suggestion that Riki Flutey is the villain of the piece.

'If he had not tripped me, I think I would have collected the chip ahead comfortably and not found myself scrambling around unaware that I was about to become road-kill.'

O'Driscoll was also the victim of a late hit by Flutey when Ireland beat England last year.

Heaslip completed 80-minutes against England but was seen to be limping in the aftermath of the game but he has now made a full recovery and is available for selection.