None will be more of a concern to Kidney then that of captain Brian O’Driscoll, the centre spraining his ankle in Leinster’s victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday, although the news from the IRFU is that the knock to the RBS 6 Nations all-time top try scorer is not as bad as first feared.

Ulster prop Rory Best is also a doubt after picking up an injury in his side’s convincing win over Newport Gwent Dragons, but there is better news for his team-mates.

Uncapped backs Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall have all been added to the original 31-man squad, joined by Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick.

Gilroy has been part of Ireland’s previous training camps and will once again join the ranks, while Jackson and Marshall have been in fine form at Ravenhill this season.

Fitzpatrick will be looking to add to his two caps and his inclusion brings Ulster’s representation to the men in green up to 14.

Leinster’s Sean Cronin and Michael Bent, as well as Connacht’s Tiernan O'Halloran have also been called up.