Ireland's remarkable good fortune with injuries at this Rugby World Cup has continued with the news that Rob Kearney should be fit to play against Italy at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

The elder Kearney brother seemed in good spirits and showed no signs of discomfort as he left the team hotel with his fellow players, on their way to the training facilities used by Conor O'Shea's Harlequins. Having done gym work this morning, Kearney should train fully tomorrow.

Keith Earls has passed a Head Injury Assessment, meaning Joe Schmidt has a full squad to choose from. That's remarkable considering most teams have been forced to call up replacements by now. Wales have already lost 8 of their initial panel.

Sergio Parisse has linked up with the Italy squad at their base in Surrey. The influential captain missed the Azzuri's defeat to France and their close win over Canada due to a calf problem and is not due to train until Thursday.

Parisse is facing a number of fitness tests before getting the all clear to play. Italy will be heading out of the tournament if they do not beat Ireland, and it would be a huge blow if their talisman was unable to start.

Welcome to Cobham @sergioparisse @LeoGhira @Federugby #RWC2015 #ITA pic.twitter.com/k7oGMBwZvU

— Cobham RFC (@CobhamRFC) September 29, 2015

So things appear to have turned full circle for Ireland since the 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome two and half years ago. Declan Kidney's injury decimated squad lost their first ever Six Nations match against the Azzuri.

Paul O'Connell didn't travel, Keith Earls and Luke Marshall were forced out of the game in the first half. Luke Fitzgerald lasted just 12 minutes after coming off the bench, meaning Peter O'Mahony played a large part of the game on the wing. 

The defeat led to Kidney's resignation.

It has however also led to the Joe Schmidt era, back to back Six Nations titles and what could be Ireland's best ever World Cup campaign.