Six Nations:Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble will bring pace and backline options after they were named as two of eight players drafted into the Ireland camp ahead of Sunday's Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Trimble, who had been sidelined with a hand injury, returned to competitive action for Ulster at the weekend when they narrowly defeated Scarlets 16-18 in the Magners League.
After recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out of the opening two rounds of the championship, Bowe also returned to play a full 80 minutes for Ospreys in their away win over Treviso Backs Denis Hurley and Gavin Duffy came through unscathed from their provincial games in the Magners League and are included in the squad.
Secondrows Mick O’Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan have been called up, as has Tony Buckley, who played for his province after returning from a hip injury, and backrow Rhys Ruddock.
The Ireland squad will gather in Dublin this evening with the first training session scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Scotland, meanwhile, have suffered a triple injury blow with news that Joe Ansbro, Hugo Southwell and Rory Lamont have all been ruled out of Sunday's game.
Fullback Southwell has not recovered from the facial injury he suffered in the defeat by Wales earlier this month.
Northampton centre Ansbro suffered concussion during his team's defeat to Bath at the weekend and Toulon fullback Lamont sustained a leg injury against Agen.
"We have made the decision now that all three of our injured backs will miss this weekend's international so that brings clarity to our preparations," said Scotland head coach Andy Robinson today. "We wish all of them a speedy recovery. Our medical staff will continue to treat and monitor our injured forwards.
"Everybody was hurting after the display against Wales but we must now focus on the challenge that Ireland bring and there's absolute determination to bounce back against them at Murrayfield on Sunday."
Six forwards sat out training today, with Scotland team doctor James Robson reporting they will require further medical assessment.
Glasgow Warriors pair Jon Welsh (ribs) and Robert Harley (hip), Edinburgh flanker Ross Rennie (toe) and Leinster lock Nathan Hines (knee) all suffered knocks in Magners League action at the weekend.
Richie Vernon is still feeling the effects of the calf knock he suffered against Wales while hooker Dougie Hall continues to be troubled by the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the Murrayfield defeat.
Ireland Squad additions:
Andrew Trimble
Mick O'Driscoll
Donnacha Ryan
Gavin Duffy
Denis Hurley
Tony Buckley
Rhys Ruddock
Tommy Bowe
