Warburton fit for Wales v Ireland

Wales captain Sam Warburton will be fit in time to play for his country in the Six Nations showdown against Ireland in Cardiff on March 14, assistant coach Rob Howley said Thursday.

The flank was forced to leave the field during the second half of last weekend's 20-13 victory over France in Paris, after sustaining a knee injury.

He was limping heavily immediately after the game, but the prognosis five days later was upbeat at the Wales squad's training base.

Warburton will break Ryan Jones' Wales record against Ireland for most appearances as captain, with the Cardiff Blues flank due to lead his country for a 34th time.

Ireland will arrive in the Welsh capital on Saturday week after winning their first three Six Nations matches this season to put themselves firmly on course for a Grand Slam.

Wales, though, are also in the hunt for Six Nations silverware after recovering from an opening defeat against England by toppling Scotland and France.

Agence France-Presse