Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is hopeful that Tommy Bowe will be able to play the majority of the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

The Ulster winger is out of action with a torn groin muscle he sustained last month.

But Schmidt says he should be fit by Ireland's third game of the campaign, against England at Twickenham.

He said: "Tommy is making progress so there is no point having him training, when he can't train fully. He's still rehabbing back but there's still the potential for him to be back for the Wales game, but more likely the English game."