Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip an injury doubt for Italy match

Jamie Heaslip is an injury concern for Ireland ahead of their opening Six Nations game with Italy on Saturday.

The number eight sustained a slight shoulder injury in the Pro 12 game between Leinster and Ulster last weekend, and team manager Mick Kearney says that they will find out if he is able to play in the next couple of days.

He told reporters: "I'd say there is probably some small doubt about him but he has rehabbed really well. Jamie, being the professional athlete that he is, really does look after his body extremely well and would have worked on it over the weekend so I suppose the next day or two would tell a lot. But there would be a small degree of doubt about him. Yes."

Ireland will announce their team on Thursday.