Mike Brown was still suffering concussion symptoms yesterday and faces a race against time to prove his fitness for England’s pivotal Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

England boss Stuart Lancaster has revealed the Harlequins full-back is yet to start the first steps in the strict recovery process after a heavy blow to the head in Saturday’s 47-17 victory over Italy.

England have sent 17 players back to their clubs to play Premiership rugby this weekend but Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood are unlikely to be fit for league action.