IRFU assessing Kelleher shoulder injury, Sexton rehabbing, while 14 players are released to provinces

The IRFU have confirmed that 14 members of their Six Nations squad have been released back to the provinces for this weekend's United Rugby Championship games, with 23 held back for a two-day mini camp.

Of the 14 players who have returned to provincial training, Cian Healy and Jack Carty are the only two who featured in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations defeat to France in Paris.

Meanwhile, Johnny Sexton and Rob Herring will stay in Irish camp having missed the Round 2 trip due to injury.

Sexton will continue his hamstring rehab in camp, while Herring had been dealing with a calf injury which will now be managed by the IRFU, who are also sweating on the fitness of hooker Ronan Kelleher.

Kelleher was withdrawn 25 minutes into Saturday's defeat due to a shoulder injury, with the IRFU still assessing his condition for their Round 3 meeting with Italy on Sunday 27 February at the Aviva Stadium.

Released back to provinces:

Leinster: Cian Healy, Jordan Larmour, Ryan Baird

Munster: Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Dave Kilcoyne

Connacht: Jack Carty, Dave Heffernan

Ulster: Tom O'Toole, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, Robert Baloucoune, Mike Lowry, James Hume