Rugby-Itoje an illness doubt for England against Ireland

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v Australia - Twickenham Stadium, London, Britain - November 13, 2021 England's Maro Itoje waves after the match REUTERS/Paul Childs

LONDON (Reuters) - England lock Maro Itoje could miss Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham through illness, though he does not have COVID-19 and is expected to recover, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Friday.

Itoje missed England's final training session, though officials said they are hopeful he would recover in time to play in the game where defeat would almost certainly end each side's hopes of taking the title.