Dempsey the main concern

News round-up: Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan's main concern ahead of Saturday week's opening Six Nations Championship match remains the fitness of Girvan Dempsey.

The Leinster fullback damaged his calf when securing a penalty during the Irish province's superb European Cup win against Bath at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Dempsey was trying to pinch possession at a ruck, having tackled Olly Barkley and got back to his feet. He was hit hard, if legitimately, by Bath flanker Michael Lipman and was replaced by Robert Kearney. The Terenure College player took no part in Ireland's training sessions on Monday and yesterday, the only player not to tog out. A spokesman suggested that the problem "was not a major concern at this stage".

Dempsey will continue to undergo extensive physiotherapy on the damage.

Ulster outhalf David Humphreys and Llanelli Scarlets captain Simon Easterby did some running but took no part in the contact aspect of yesterday's session because of slight knocks.

O'Sullivan will today confirm the 22-man squad for the Test against Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week. He must decide on whether Dempsey will be rehabilitating not alone in time, but quickly enough so that he can rejoin training.

Once O'Sullivan has confirmed the match squad and today's training session is completed, those remaining players not involved will be released back to their provinces for Celtic League duty at the weekend.

Leinster prop Will Green, one of his team's try scorers in the victory over Bath, will be in contention for a place against Borders on Friday night at Donnybrook, despite having a couple of stitches inserted in an eye wound.

Coach Michael Cheika will be in a position to give some of his fringe players a run in the absence of the internationals.

The same hold true for Ulster's Mark McCall, as they play Llanelli on Friday night at Ravenhill, and Munster's Declan Kidney, whose charges host the Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

Six-foot eight-inch London Irish secondrow Nic Kennedy has been named in the England A squad for their international against their Italian counterparts next month. Kennedy was also qualified to play for Ireland and is reported to have been approached with a view to wearing the green, but the latest news appears to have confirmed his choice.

England's options in selecting an exciting new centre combination for the Six Nations opener against Wales have been reduced by the withdrawal of Bath outhalf Barkley through injury.

Barkley has been ruled out of the clash with Wales at Twickenham on February 4th after sustaining a dislocated right thumb during Bath's defeat by Leinster on Sunday.

The 24-year-old's right hand is in a plaster cast and he will visit a specialist to assess the extent of the damage.

Rugby Fixtures

TODAY

Women's International: Ireland v US, Thomond Park (7.0).

FRIDAY

Celtic League: Leinster v Borders, Donnybrook (7.30); Ulster v Llanelli Scarlets, Ravenhill.

SATURDAY

Celtic League: Munster v The Dragons, Musgrave Park (5.30).

All Ireland League - Division One: (2.30): Belfast Harlequins v Ballymena, Grafton Arena; Carlow v Cork Constitution, Temple Hill; Dublin University v Lansdowne, College Park; Galwegians v UL Bohemian, Crowley Park; Garryowen v Clontarf, Dooradoyle; St Mary's v Dungannon, Templeville Road; Shannon v Blackrock, Thomond Park; UCD v Buccaneers, Belfield.

Division Two (2.30): Bective Rangers v Old Crescent, Donnybrook; DLSP v Malone; Highfield v Old Belvedere, Woodleigh Park; Thomond v Ballynahinch, Fitzgerald Park; UCC v Midleton, Musgrave Park; Waterpark v Barnhall, Ballinakill; Young Munster v Greystones, Clifford Park.

Division Three (2.30): Ards v City of Derry, Hamilton Park; Clonakilty v Bruff, Shannonvale; Corinthians v Instonians, Corinthian Park; Nenagh Ormond v Suttonians, New Ormond Park; Portadown v Banbridge; Portadown v Banbridge, Chambers Park; QUB v Sunday's Well, Dub Lane; Skerries v Old Wesley, Holmpatrick; Wanderers v Connemara, Lansdowne Road (back pitch).

SUNDAY

All Ireland League - Division Two (2.30): Dolphin v Terenure, Musgrave Park.