Eddie O'Sullivan has included Girvan Dempsey and Shane Horgan in the 24-man Ireland squad to play France at Lansdowne Road tomorrow week.
Both players missed the win over Italy in Rome last weekend and have struggled to overcome niggling injuries this week. A final decision on their fitness is likely to be taken on Monday before the management announce the starting line-up on Tuesday.
As expected, Ronan O'Gara, who lines out for Cork Constitution in the AIL tomorrow as he bids to get 80 minutes of competitive rugby under his belt, is included in the squad. The out-half has not played since the Celtic League final on February 1st and his inclusion means Paul Burke of Harlequins will drop down to the A squad.
Prop Marcus Horan, who will be in action for Shannon over the weekend, is named in the 24-strong selection and is expected to deputise for the injured Reggie Corrigan at loose-head.
Ireland
Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Rob Henderson (Munster/Young Munster), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Shane Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon) Vice Captain, John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College) Captain, Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon).
Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon) Vice Captain, Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution).
Ireland 'A'
Backs: Paul Burke (Harlequins), Gordon Darcy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Neil Doak (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Barry Everitt (London Irish), Brian O'Meara (Leinster/ Cork Constitution), David Quinlan (Leinster/Blackrock College), A.N. Other, Jeremy Staunton (Munster/Garrryowen), James Topping (Ulster/ Ballymena), A.N. Other.
Forwards: Simon Best (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Peter Bracken (Connacht/Galwegians), James Blaney (Munster/Shannon), Jeremy Davidson (Ulster/Dungannon), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Ronnie McCormack (Connacht/Buccaneers), Aidan McCullen (Leinster/Lansdowne ), Eric Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster/Cork Constitution), Donnacha O'Callaghan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Paul Shields (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins).
The Irish management have made the following players available for their clubs this weekend
: Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Rob Henderson (Munster/Young Munster) and Paul Burke (Harlequins).