Mixed news on injury front for Ireland

Robbie Henshaw is a doubt for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations clash against France having failed to shake off a dead leg.

Ireland have taken the unusual step of delaying confirmation of their wider squad for Sunday's Dublin encounter with Les Bleus until Wednesday morning.

Henshaw has not featured since Ireland's 32-20 opening-round defeat to England in Dublin, where he was deployed at full-back for just the second time in his Test career.

Fly-half Joey Carbery is still inching back to full tilt after hamstring trouble, while flanker Dan Leavy continues to nurse an ankle problem.

"Robbie Henshaw is improving more slowly than hoped and he will continue his rehab this week," the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed in a statement.

"Joey Carbery is progressing well through his hamstring rehab and will be managed across the early part of the week.

"Andrew Conway has fully recovered from cramp suffered post the Italy game.

"Dan Leavy will continue to increase his running volume outside of team training in the early part of this week.

"The Ireland squad for round four of the championship will be confirmed tomorrow morning."

Ireland would normally confirm their wider training squad on a Tuesday ahead of a Sunday Test match, but have delayed that announcement while the nucleus of doubtful stars continue their recoveries.

Bundee Aki and Chris Farrell started in the centres when Ireland ground past Italy 26-16 in Rome on Sunday, February 24.

The Irish had expected Henshaw to be fit and firing by now to boost those midfield options.

Ireland still hold an outside chance of winning the Six Nations, but will most likely need maximum points from their final two games and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour. They're currently third in the table on nine points with second-placed England a point ahead and finish their campaign with home games against Italy and Scotland. Six Nations leaders Wales are on 12 points are away to Scotland on Saturday, followed by a potential Grand Slam decider against Ireland on March 16th at the Principality Stadium.

Press Association/RugbyPass