Eddie Jones is hopeful influential forward duo Chris Robshaw and Dylan Hartley will be fit to return for England’s Six Nations games against France and Wales respectively.
Jones is hopeful Robshaw will be available for England’s second game of the tournament, against France at Twickenham on February 10, while Hartley is aiming to return for England’s third game, against Wales in Cardiff on February 23.
“We have taken a completely different approach to the camp this time,” Jones explained.
“We are specifically focusing on the Ireland game so we are only taking players who believe will be available to play against Ireland.
“We are not taking any longer-term rehab players. Dylan is not going to be available for Ireland. At the outside maybe Wales we are looking at.
“Same with Robshaw, we have not taken him to Portugal for the same reasons. We will allow him to rehab and get himself right.
“He will hopefully be available for selection down the track. He could be a bit earlier [than Hartley] – France.”