Ireland captain Keith Wood is expected to resume full training at the end of the week, following an operation on his elbow yesterday morning.
The injury was incurred in training in Bilbao, where the Irish rugby team were preparing for their World Cup campaign. Wood had keyhole surgery on the ailment in Dublin, and, according to reports, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan expects to have his captain in full contact training by the weekend.
Concerns persist, however, over the fitness of Ulster centre Jonny Bell, who is struggling with an Achilles problem.
The full squad meet up in Dublin on Sunday for the final preparations before heading to Australia.