Ireland coach Warren Gatland today posptoned naming his team for Sunday's Test match with Samoa at Lansdowne Road because of a mounting injury crisis that has affected 15 of his 25 man squad.
Gatland, who will now name the team on Wednesday, had to also abandon holding a training session today because he had so few players available, though only three - wing Denis Hickie, fullback Girvan Dempsey and backrow David Wallace - are rated doubtful.
Hickie (shoulder) and Dempsey (Achilles tendon) missed Leinster's European Cup game against Newport with Wallace (shoulder) ruled out of Munster's match with Bridgend. Gatland is unlikely to risk any of the trio with New Zealand visiting Dublin on November 17th.
However there are also worries over captain Keith Wood (thigh), Brian O'Driscoll (knee) and Malcolm O'Kelly (wrist).
Also on the injury list are Munster's John Hayes (shoulder), Mike Mullins (ankle), Peter Clohessy (bronchitis) and Frank Sheahan (eye cut); Leinster's Eric Miller (shoulder) and Shane Horgan (ankle); Ulster duo David Humphreys and Jonathan Bell (both ankle) and Bath centre Kevin Maggs (shin).
Leinster's Keith Gleeson, Llanelli's Simon Easterby or Munster's Alan Quinlan are on standby to replace Wallace, while Ireland already have cover for Hickie and Dempsey. - AFP