Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll is one of a handful of players set to miss Saturday's World Cup warm-up against Scotland at Murrayfield

Ireland have five games scheduled in the build up to their departure for New Zealand, against Scotland, France (home and away), Connacht and England.

"Brian has been doing 80 per cent of the work over the last two weeks. I'm not too concerned about him," said Ireland manager Paul McNaughton.
"He has a problem with his shoulder/neck and has been having some traction on it.
"He's doing everything except contact this week, but is unlikely to play in the first two games."

While O'Driscoll is expected to be fully fit in a few weeks, there is far more uncertainty around Gordon D'Arcy and Stephen Ferris's chances of making the World Cup.

D'Arcy underwent ankle surgery in June and is still in rehabilitation while Ferris is struggling with a knee problem.

"Gordon is tight to make the World Cup," said McNaughton.

"He recovers quickly and is running while bearing his full weight, so is making progress.
"With these type of injuries, a week can tell us a lot - players can progress a lot in that time as well.

"Gordon and Stephen face a race against time but are making progress," he added.
"If there is a likelihood of guys not playing before the World Cup then it's those two.
"We're hopeful that they may be ready for game time, maybe in match three or four of the summer series. They are unlikely to play in the first two games.
"It's a preference that they have some game time before they go, but we'll never say never on anybody.
"A player could be just a week away from full fitness but it would be dangerous to play him in a game.
"We always have that option. It's our preference that everyone will get some game time."

There was however some good news for Irish fans as hooker Jerry Flannery and full-backs Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy, are all available to face Scotland following lengthy lay-offs.

"Flannery (calf), Kearney (knee) and Murphy (ankle) are ready to go. They were involved in contact last week and are ready for game time," said McNaughton.
"Flannery has been out for quite a while now (since January).
"He has been getting specialist rehab on a one-to-one basis during the summer, but over the last two weeks has kept up fully in training.
"We're pleased to see him take part in everything from contact to scrummaging.
"In general the injury situation has been getting better over the last couple of weeks, but we have five matches and need to give guys game time.
"We're hopeful that every player will partake in some games."

Shane Jennings resumes contact work this week as he continues his comeback from a broken arm.