Barkley and Paul fit for Irish test

Barkley had a scan on his damaged calf and the England medical team are confident he will be fit to play inside-centre and handle any kicking responsibilities that head coach Andy Robinson takes away from outside-half Charlie Hodgson.

Paul's ankle injury has also passed an examination and he will be fit for selection on Wednesday. He is likely to be a replacement and the leading kicking option if England have problems again during the match.

But England have a serious front-row crisis on their hands. Gloucester's Phil Vickery suffered a broken arm at the weekend to join Leicester's Julian White on the "crocked" list of tight-head props. This has forced Robinson to call up Bath's Duncan Bell.

Robinson will now delay naming his full team until lunchtime on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, London Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland believes that Ireland's Jonny O'Connor could be fit to face England despite the injury which forced the flanker out of the 39 - 9 destruction of Northampton.

"He rolled his ankle, he's got ice on it now and he might get a couple of days off," said Gatland.

Ireland need O'Connor to be fit as his potential replacement, Denis Leamy, suffered a hamstring strain playing for Munster yesterday.

London Irish ended their poor run with a 30-12 win over Saracens in the League. Rod Penney, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Strudwick, Kieron Dawson scored tries.