Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan today named a 32-man squad for a four-day training session in Belfast beginning next Monday.
Keith Wood, who has been out of action after tearing a calf muscle in December, was omitted from the squad by management so that he could concentrate on regaining his fitness ahead of the Six Nations home match with Italy on March 23rd.
Geordan Murphy damaged medial ligaments in last month’s defeat to England and was not considered for the training camp. Jeremy Davidson is another carrying a knock and will not travel.
Centre Rob Henderson has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of last weekend’s win over Scotland and is named in the Belfast squad.
He is, however, one of six players instructed by management not to play for his club in this weekend’s series of AIB League matches.
Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Denis Hickie, Brian O’Driscoll and Girvan Dempsey are the five others ordered out of club action this weekend.
Ireland squad:
Forwards:Shane Byrne (Leinster), Peter Clohessy (Munster), Victor Costello, (Leinster), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Munster), Mick Galwey (Munster), Keith Gleeson (Leinster), John Hayes (Munster), Gary Longwell (Ulster), Eric Miller (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), Frank Sheahan, (Munster), David Wallace (Munster), Paul Wallace (Leinster).
Backs:Gordon Darcy (Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Rob Henderson (Munster), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Tyrone Howe (Ulster), David Humphreys (Ulster), John Kelly (Munster), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Mike Mullins (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).