Jonathan Sexton is visiting a specialist today in a bid to be involved in training with the rest of the Irish squad tomorrow.

The out-half is still nursing a thumb ligament injury that he picked up during the second half of the defeat to England at Twickenham but the Irish coaching staff remain optimistic that he will be available for this weekend's match-up against Italy.

Sexton is hoping that the specialist will give him the all-clear to resume training with the rest of the Irish squad tomorrow.

Peter O'Mahony should also be able to train tomorrow, provided he can pass a fitness test today.

Similarly, Brian O'Driscoll has been given the green light to take a full part in training this week after he had been struggling with a calf cramp last week.