PADDY JOHNS and Jeremy Davidson have been declared fit to face Wales in tomorrow's International Championship match in Cardiff.

Both had been unable to train on Tuesday because of flu, but they took a full part in sessions on Wednesday and again yesterday morning in Limerick before the Ireland party flew out from Shannon.

"We have no problems now," said Ireland manager Pat Whelan. "Both Paddy and Jeremy have been given complete medical clearance to play, and we really had little doubt about Eric Elwood who trained throughout the week without any difficulty.

"We are prepared for the match and have made an intensive study on video of the Welsh. We expect it will be tough but we have gone to Cardiff in confident mood that we can win this one."

Meanwhile, Welsh scrum half Robert Howley, who has been under treatment for a bruised shoulder for the past week, yesterday declared himself fit to play. Howley took a full part in yesterday's Welsh training session, held behind closed doors. Paul John had been on standby to come in if Howley had been ruled out.

The Welsh coach, Kevin Bowring, had stated on Wednesday that Howley would make the decision himself. He is obviously content that he is fit enough to face the Irish.

But Wales have had to make a change on the replacement bench Gwynn Jones has been ruled out by an ankle injury and Kingsley Jones, the Ebbw Vale captain, takes over from his namesake in the replacements.

That had an knock on effect on the Welsh A and under 21 teams who play Ireland today. Jones' place in the A back row will now be taken by Nathan Thomas (back). Thomas' berth on the under 21 team will be taken by Aran Davis (AWIC).

Ireland will probably visit the Arms Park today, but Whelan said last night after the team arrived in Cardiff that they will not do any training.

Meanwhile, Scotland take on England at Twickenham in tomorrow's other match, for the Calcutta Cup.

England captain Brian de Glanville has said the Scots' outside half, Gregor Townsend, is their most dangerous weapon.

Townsend, scrum half Bryan Redpath and flanker Ian Smith are the play making trio that England will be aiming to stop.

"Gregor is one of the best standoffs in world rugby and is likely to thrive on Redpath's service, giving him the chance to run at us alongside Smith," said de Glanville.

"I would not say that Scotland are the best balanced side in the championship, but departments like half backs and flankers are ones we have got to watch."

Townsend played at centre in Scotland's Five Nations' beating by Wales earlier this month, but England believe the outside half role is where he can do most damage and boost the whole Scotland team too.

De Glanville added: "Will (Carling) and Jerry Guscott have been confirming to the squad that the Scots should never be underestimated, even though they did not play as well as they expected in their defeat by Wales.

"Will and Jerry were in the team that lost to Scotland in the Grand Slam decider in 1990. Though we have won the last seven matches between us since then, Scotland will be firing on all cylinders with a changed team."

Saturday's match will be de Glanville's first Five Nations' fixture in charge, and he will be hoping to do better than Will Carling's start in the tournament eight years ago, when the result was a 12-12 draw.