The Irish team management have afforded Keith Wood more time to prove his fitness and included the captain in the 22-man squad to face Australia on Saturday week.
Wood has been out of action for five weeks after aggravating a long-standing neck injury against Russia in September and only resumed light running yesterday.
However, the Harlequins hooker is desperate to be involved against the Aussies at Lansdowne Road on September 9th and coach Eddie O'Sullivan has included Wood in his squad announced this morning. But with Shane Byrne waiting in the wings, O'Sullivan will review the situation after the weekend before naming his team on Tuesday next.
Wood hopes to get a run-out for 'Quins when they meet Bath in a league clash on Saturday and should he come through that match unscathed, O'Sullivan is likely to stand by his man. If, on the other hand, there are further concerns over his fitness, Byrne will take his place in the starting line-up with Paul Shields or Frankie Sheahan in line for a call-up to the replacements bench.
Definitely out of the international are Eric Miller and Geordan Murphy, both back from lengthy spells on the sidelines but lacking in match fitness. Munster's Alan Quinlan and Leinster's Victor Costello will provide cover in the backrow while fit-again Shane Horgan regains his place in the squad and can operate both on the wing and in the centre at international level.
Ireland squad:
Backs: Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon) Vice-Captain, Kevin Maggs (Bath), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College) Vice-Captain, Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Shane Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne), John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution).
Forwards: Keith Wood (Harlequins) Captain, Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Paul Wallace (Leinster/Blackrock College), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon) Vice-Captain, Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Victor Costello (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon).