England touched down in Dublin last night with their RBS 6 Nations title aspirations effectively hanging by a thread.

World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson are injury concerns ahead of tomorrow's Croke Park clash against Ireland.

While England head coach Brian Ashton insists no decision on either player will be made for ''at least another 24 hours,'' the world champions travelled from Heathrow with two extra passengers - London Irish back Mike Catt and uncapped Harlequins wing David Strettle.

The 35-year-old Catt, capped 67 times, has not played for England since the second Test against Australia in Melbourne last summer.

His last appearance against Ireland, meanwhile, came back in 2001, when England blew their Grand Slam hopes at Lansdowne Road.

If Wilkinson, who missed England's final Bath University training session yesterday due to what was described as bumps, bruises and a tight right hamstring, is forced to withdraw, then his 21-year-old Newcastle colleague Toby Flood can expect promotion off the bench.

Flood has not yet started a Test match, but the prospect of running out with England in front of an 83,000 capacity Croke Park crowd is something he must now consider.

Wilkinson has played just twice for England since the 2003 World Cup final, but Ashton drafted him back into the side against Scotland three weeks ago, and he responded by equalling the individual Calcutta Cup record of 27 points.

Strettle will provide cover for neck injury victim Robinson. Should Robinson miss out, then Mathew Tait can expect to start, with Strettle on the bench.

The possible loss of both Wilkinson and Robinson would represent a colossal double blow for Ashton following Twickenham victories over Scotland and Italy.

Wilkinson, starting to fire again following repeated injury problems, has scored 42 of England's 62 championship points this season, while Robinson has scored three tries. The only other scorer was flanker Magnus Lund, who touched down against Scotland.

England say Robinson has made a good initial recovery from the training blow. They also stress Catt and Strettle have travelled as ''precautionary cover.''

Wilkinson missed Newcastle's Guinness Premiership defeat at Bristol last Sunday due to what the Falcons termed ''bumps, bruises and strains.''

There was no mention of hamstring trouble, although it is understood Wilkinson might have had the problem for several days.

Ireland confirmed scrum-half Peter Stringer's recovery from a broken hand that means he reclaims his place and will be reunited with his Munster half-back colleague Ronan O'Gara.