Man down.

Ireland look set to take on Wales in the Six Nations this weekend without tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong. The Lions Test star injured his hamstring in the win over Italy and has been closely monitored since.

Indications all along have suggested that he would be fit and ready for the heavyweight showdown with the Welsh. But Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell offered an ominous update yesterday afternoon.

“He’s (Furlong) hitting his markers.” Farrell said.

“He’s training well. But he’s not been in full training.”

“He’s been doing bit part stuff. We’ll make a decision on that Wednesday night or Thursday.”

In the past Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has gone against picking players in his matchday squad that have not trained fully all week with the squad.

The Irish Independent are reporting that Schmidt will indeed “err on the side of caution,”with Furlong and leave him out of his squad this weekend. Leinster’s Andrew Porter is set to start and John Ryan in line to offer cover from the bench.

A decision is also yet to be made on Iain Henderson. But James Ryan has been declared fit for the weekend.