The Munster number nine had a scan on Tuesday which showed damage to a tendon and the thumb has been put in plaster. It will be removed next Tuesday when coach Eddie OSullivan is due to name his team.

OSullivan remains optimistic about Stringers prospects, saying: The prognosis is good. The plaster is to immobilise the thumb and give it a better chance of recovery. We remain hopeful he will be fit to play.

Ireland, meanwhile, have resisted the temptation to bask in their shock win over the world champions by getting straight back to work.

A 31-man squad, including all 22 selected for the trip to Twickenham, started training on Tuesday in a bid to impress ahead of Irelands match with Italy at Lansdowne Road.

The nine newcomers to the squad have just a few days to prove their point, with OSullivan set to reduce his squad in the coming days.