Six Nations: England hopeful Mike Brown will be fit to face Ireland

England coach Stuart Lancaster remains hopeful that Mike Brown will be available for the Six Nations showdown with Ireland.

The Harlequins full-back took a blow to the head in Saturday’s 47-17 victory over Italy and will have to go through the strict concussion protocols before being passed fit.

If Brown does not recover, Lancaster hinted that Alex Goode – one of a number of players made available to their clubs this weekend - will be the man to replace him in Dublin.  

Lancaster told Sky Sports News HQ: “Mike hasn’t done any training and won’t do any this week. He’s got to go through the graduated return-to-play protocol for the concussion injury he sustained.

“He’s got to be symptom-free before he starts that process. He’s got to rest at the moment.

“We’ve got very good replacements should they be needed. But we’ve got to do right by Mike and do it by the book.

We spoke with him (Brown) today and he’s in good spirits and good form. He’s certainly very much in contention if he passes that protocol in the next five or six days.

“We spoke with him today and he’s in good spirits and good form. He’s certainly very much in contention if he passes that protocol in the next five or six days.

“We very much see Alex Goode as the No 2 behind Mike Brown. I thought he was exceptional at the weekend playing against Bath. He just needs to keep playing and he wants to play.

Lancaster has retained just 17 players for training this week – the starting XV against Italy plus Exeter wing Jack Nowell and Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees.

The rest of the squad has been released to play for their clubs in the Aviva Premiership.

Forwards Geoff Parling, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes are however unlikely to passed fit in time for this weekend but Lancaster has not yet ruled them out of the Ireland game  

“Those three will struggle this weekend,” he said. “They are very much in the final end stage of their rehab. My understanding is that they will be able to train next week, and then we have got a decision to make whether to include them, or do they go and play some club rugby in the lead up to the Scotland game and the France game.

“The two second rows we’ve had have gone well, and Nick Easter has been exceptional when he has come on as well so we’ve got some cover there.”

In addition to the 17 retained players, Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury (Wasps) will stay with the squad to continue their rehabilitation this week.