IRISH PAIR RETURN TO TRAINING

got to Straffan it was like a different world,” said Munster winger Earls.

“We can’t do anything about it, we’ll just get on with our work.”

Ultan Dillane is the only player currently not in the Ireland camp. He is due to check in tomorrow after playing for Connacht in South Africa last Saturday.

Ulster hooker Rob Herring has rejoined the squad after an elbow injury.

But Munster’s Niall Scannell has been ruled out this week after suffering a recurrence of a rib injury and Andrew Conway is still rehabbing a knee injury at the province.

Both could come into contention next week for the clash against England.

Leinster’s Barry Daly has been added to the squad.

Meanwhile, Mike Blair insists John Hardie fully merits a Scotland Six Nations recall just weeks after returning from suspension for gross misconduct.

The Scotland assistant coach believes it would be foolish not to include the Edinburgh flanker for this weekend’s crunch clash against Ireland despite serving a three-month ban amid allegations of cocaine use.

Blair added: “He’s had his time off. He’s been helped through that and now he can focus on his rugby.”