THE Ireland squad assembled in Limerick yesterday to prepare for the international against Australia on Saturday. It was a depleted squad with some players under treatment for injuries, but Ireland manager Pat Whelan expects the selected players to be fit for the Test.

But squad member wing Niall Woods, not involved on Saturday, returned to London last night and will undergo an operation to rectify a knee problem. That will put him out of the game for some weeks. Another member of the squad, Robert Henderson, is returning to London today to have treatment on a back injury.

Ireland scrum half and captain Niall Hogan did not train yesterday because of an ankle injury, nor did reserve out half David Humphreys. Centre Jonathan Bell missed the session but was given permission to join the squad last night. Hooker, Keith Wood and second row Jeremy Davidson had treatment for some bruising.