Gary Longwell has been cleared to join the Ireland training squad ahead of next weekend's crucial Six Nations clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Gary Longwell has been included in a preliminary 25-man Ireland squad ahead of next weekend's crucial Six Nations clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
The squad will be trimmed down to 22 when coach Eddie O'Sullivan names his starting line-up next Tuesday.
The influential Ulster lock remains doubtful after limping off with a hamstring injury during Ireland's 15-12 win over France at Lansdowne Road last weekend.
But Longwell, who didn't train with the rest of the squad earlier this week, discovered yesterday there was no serious damage and is free to join his Irish teammates this Sunday night as they prepare for the crunch game.
Leinster's Emmet Byrne and Munster's Paul O'Connell, both back in action after long-term injuries, failed to make it into the squad but the Irish management have made both players available to play club rugby this weekend.
Ronan O'Gara, still lacking match fitness after an ankle injury suffered at the beginning of February, has also been made available for his club, as has Young Munster's Rob Henderson.
Shane Horgan, a casualty since the opening Six Nations match in Edinburgh, remains on the injury list but full-back Girvan Dempsey is hopeful of completing his recovery from a troublesome groin strain and is included at this stage.
If Ireland defeat Wales they remain on course for the Grand Slam decider against England at Lansdowne Road in the final game of the championship.
The final team selection will be announced next Tuesday afternoon.
Ireland
Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon) Vice Captain, Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution), A.N. Other.
Backs: Justin Bishop (London Irish), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Rob Henderson (Munster/Young Munster), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon) Vice Captain, John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College) Captain, Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon).
Not considered due to injury: Jonathan Bell (Ulster/Dungannon) {Shoulder}, Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Lansdowne) {Arm}, Shane Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne) {Thigh}, David Wallace (Munster/Garryowen) {Shoulder}, Paul Wallace (Leinster/Blackrock College) {Shoulder}, Keith Wood (Harlequins) {Shoulder}.
The Irish management have made the following players available for their clubs this weekend: Emmet Byrne (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Rob Henderson (Munster/Young Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Young Munster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon) and Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution).