Jamie Heaslip
Ireland's Jamie Heaslip (top L) wins a line out ball from England's Tom Wood (top R) during their Six Nations Championship rugby union match at Twickenham in London February 22, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Ireland’s team manager Mick Kearney has confirmed that Jamie Heaslip will not be playing for the squad’s clash against England at the Aviva Stadium on March 1. Heaslip is still recuperating from three fractured vertebrae that he suffered after French lock Pascal Pape kneed him in the back during Ireland’s 18-11 victory over France on Valentine’s Day that left the Frenchman suspended for 10 weeks.

“There’s absolutely no chance of Jamie being involved against England,” Kearney said via Ireland news outlet RTE.ie. “That was always the thought of the coaching staff and the medical staff.”

Kearney’s statement came after Heaslip has been named as one of Ireland’s 36-man squad for Sunday’s clash against England. He also provided update on Heaslip’s recovery. Kearney said that Heaslip, who continues work with Ireland’s medical, strength, and conditioning team, is slowly getting his strength back. However, there is still a question mark about Heaslip’s return to the squad, but Kearney remains optimistic that Heaslip would be fit to play for the match against Wales in Cardiff on March 14.

Meanwhile, Jordi Murphy is poised to take Heaslip’s place for the upcoming match, The Guardian reports. Ireland’s back-row and Munster’s captain Peter O’Mahony believes that Murphy, being a “quality all-rounded player,” has what it takes to deal with England’s James Haskell, Chris Robshaw and Billy Vunipola. O’Mahony said Murphy has “developed hugely” since Ireland’s loss to England at Twickenham during last season’s Six Nations.

Ulster’s back-row Roger Wilson and Munster’s forward Billy Holland have also been included in Ireland’s 36-man squad. Below is the full list of Ireland’s squad for the weekend. Ireland and England are the only two nations unbeaten in this season’s Rugby Union Six Nations Championships.

Forwards: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Billy Holland, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Paul O'Connell, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, and Roger Wilson.

Backs: Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Felix Jones, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ian Madigan, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, and Simon Zebo.

To report problems or leave feedback on this article, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.

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