Right wing Mack Hansen and tighthead prop Finlay Bealham are on course to be fit for Ireland’s second match of this year’s Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

However, the news is less encouraging for prop Tadhg Furlong and second-row Joe McCarthy, who will remain sidelined for a second consecutive weekend.

Hansen was temporarily replaced by Robbie Henshaw in the first half of Ireland’s opening victory over England due to a blood substitution for a cut knee but later returned to complete the match.

Bealham sustained an ankle injury against England, but scrum coach John Fogarty was optimistic about the Connacht duo’s recovery, stating on Wednesday that both “looked good” in training that morning.

“They trained just now, and it looks positive for both of them,” said Fogarty. “They took part in the full session.”

The former hooker added that Sunday’s trip to Murrayfield is likely to come “too soon” for Leinster pair Furlong and McCarthy.

Furlong missed the England match due to a calf injury, while McCarthy was ruled out with a concussion.

Sheehan Aiming for a Starting Spot

Meanwhile, hooker Dan Sheehan hopes to push for a starting role in Murrayfield this weekend.

Sheehan had been out for six months before making his return for Leinster against the Stormers and coming on as a replacement for Rónan Kelleher in the England match last weekend.

“My ambition is obviously to get back into a starting jersey, as it is for everyone,” said Sheehan. “But at the same time, I need to manage my workload, having been out of the game for six months and now playing three weeks in a row. Fortunately, I’ve been well managed by the team here.

“Ultimately, it’s not my decision to pick the squad. We’ll find out over the next few days, but my goal is to return to the starting lineup soon.”

Sheehan marked his return by scoring a try, continuing a trend that has become a hallmark of his game. It was, he admitted, an emotional moment after missing the Autumn Nations Series due to an ACL injury sustained in South Africa last summer.

“Yeah, it was a big moment, I suppose,” said Sheehan. “Playing against the Stormers the week before was also a nice confidence boost, just to be back out there with the lads and knowing I can still contribute the way I did before.

“Last Saturday was obviously a big moment in the game. That was a bonus-point try, and it got us to where we wanted to be. Unfortunately, we switched off in the last five minutes, which was quite disappointing. But, yeah, it was a big moment.”

Ireland have won their last 10 encounters against Scotland, with the Scots’ most recent victory coming in 2017 when they triumphed 27-22 at Murrayfield.