The prospects of Keith Wood being fit to lead Ireland against Wales in the Six Nations tomorrow week receded last night after the hooker ruled himself out of Harlequins' match against Northampton today. Wood hasn't played since tearing a calf muscle against Sale on December 15th.
He still hasn't definitely ruled himself out but admits his chances of playing are remote. "I've spoken to Eddie and we both agree ideally I'd need to play a match really. It just depends on how I train during the week, if I train at all, but I'd like to do whatever I can to play a supportive role, whether that's on or off the pitch."
Malcolm O'Kelly is also a doubt after being ruled out of Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leicester tomorrow with a bruised cheekbone. "I tried everything to make this week but another week could make a huge difference. I definitely have a chance of playing against Wales."
Meanwhile, Castres forward Ismaelia Lassissi has had his 12-month ban handed down by a European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC) disciplinary committee last week rescinded at an appeal hearing in Dublin. The Ivory Coast international flanker Lassissi was cited by Munster for biting Ireland prop Peter Clohessy during the European Cup pool match between the clubs in France on January 12th.
Just five days later the disciplinary committee of the ERC decided on a year-long ban after hearing evidence from both sides. Before the meeting Castres had withdrawn their counter-protest against Clohessy for making an alleged racist remark to Lassissi.
The appeal hearing took place on Thursday night and continued yesterday morning. ERC issued a statement: "The ERC appeals committee, chairman Robert Horner (England), Bob Taylor (England) and John Owen (Wales), upheld the appeal following formal evidence at the hearing.
"Mr Lassissi can resume playing with immediate effect."
The 32-year-old back-row forward has been included in Castres' squad for their European Cup quarter-final at home to Montferrand today.
Munster are awaiting a full transcript of ERC's decision. An official said: "We are awaiting the release from ERC. We won't let it intefere with our preparations for the match (against Stade Francais today). We will only address the issue when the game is over and then decide on our response."
The former Irish captain Paddy Johns last night announced his retirement from representative rugby. Johns won the last of his 59 caps against Japan in November 2000. The 33-year-old also represented Ireland at schools, under-21, under-25, A, students and university levels, as well as Ulster, before making his international debut against Argentina in 1990. Last season he led Dungannon to the AIL title.
He is Ireland's fourth most capped player of all time, behind Mike Gibson (69), Willie John McBride (63) and Fergus Slattery (61). Johns also captained Ireland on 10 occasions.
Clontarf will attempt to complete a provincial league and cup double when they play Lansdowne in the Kitty O'Shea Leinster Championship final at Donnybrook today (kick-off: 2.30 p.m.).
