Saracens' Alex Goode looks increasingly likely to play full back in England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday in the absence of Mike Brown.

Harlequins' Brown was stretchered off after a suffering concussion against Italy two weeks ago and is unlikely to return to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

England are set to fly out to Dublin on Friday and Brown will not be able to train until at least then, opening the door for Goode.

“I’ve got to be 100 per cent certain that he (Brown) is right,” England head coach Stuart Lancaster told the RFU website.

“It is very early for me to pencil him in for the game at the moment. I would need to get the detail of the actual cognitive tests.”

Brown’s injury came in the wake of Wales being heavily criticised for allowing George North to play on despite being knocked out twice in their Six Nations opener against England.

It is clear the England camp is keen to avoid a similar controversy and this makes it all the more likely that Goode will get the nod.

The Saracens man appeared in all five of England’s 2013 Six Nations clashes and but for a shoulder injury and Brown’s emergence as first choice full back, he may have earned more than the 16 caps he currently has to his name.

Goode has been in good form for his club this term and it seems Lancaster is readying him to take on the number 15 shirt at the Aviva Stadium.

“Alex has lost out in the short term because Mike has played exceptionally well but Alex has played consistently well for England,” said Lancaster.

“He’s been unlucky in that the stand-out player in last year’s six nations was Mike Brown, who plays in his position. He’s certainly confident and feels he is ready, should his opportunity come.

“We absolutely trust Alex.”