Tadhg Furlong fit but Ryan Baird ruled out of Fiji clash

Tadhg Furlong is set to be available for Ireland's third Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji on Saturday, but Ryan Baird has been ruled out due to concussion.

Baird picked up a head injury shortly after coming on as a second half replacement in the 22-19 win against Argentina, and having also suffered concussion earlier this season in action for Leinster, the versatile forward has automatically been ruled out of this Saturday's game, and will follow the return to play protocols.

Furlong missed the opening two rounds of this international window due to a hamstring issue, but trained fully with the squad this afternoon in Dublin, and scrum coach John Fogarty believes he is on track to be available.

"Full of energy," was Fogarty's assessment of Furlong.

"He got through the session today and he will be assessed as we go along.

"I'd say bullish, he’s eager to get back and excited to be in and around the team again. It’s lonely when you’re outside of that. He’s excited to be in and around the team, and we are excited as well.

"They won't mess about with the players. He’s back on time. He’s ready to go. If he was back last week and ready to go, he would have been up for selection and then the coaches will decide.

"He is back in training and he has got through that session today."

Ireland's stocks at tighthead prop have been further boosted with the return of Tom O'Toole, who missed the game as he was following the return to play protocols.

His absence against Argentina meant Leinster's Thomas Clarkson (above) was drafted in for his debut off the bench, and the 24-year-old impressed in his first Ireland appearance.

With Furlong and O'Toole back, it remains to be seen if Clarkson is retained in the matchday squad for Saturday's visit