Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan yesterday named centre Gordon D'Arcy in his training squad for next week's Six Nations match against France.
Of the 11 additions to his squad nine are practically guaranteed to start in next Friday's Ireland A international against France at Donnybrook, while Tommy Bowe may stay with the under-21s.
D'Arcy can expect to replace Shane Horgan at centre in the senior side.
Ballymena lock Matt McCullough replaces fellow Ulsterman Gary Longwell to get a first call-up to the senior squad. The other uncapped players named are Bernard Jackman, Kieran Campbell and Shaun Payne.
Both the senior and A teams will be announced next Tuesday.
Meanwhile yesterday, England coach Andy Robinson announced Martin Corry as his new captain after Jason Robinson was ruled out for the rest of the championship with a thumb injury earlier this week. James Simpson-Daniel, Leon Lloyd and Iain Balshaw also return to the 30-man England training squad.
World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson last night backed Corry's appointment. "I am sure he will handle it fantastically well," he said.
The number eight, Johnson's Leicester team-mate, will take the reins against Italy next week.
Johnson has no doubt that Corry will be up to the task as England target a morale-boosting Twickenham triumph.
Michael Owen was last night appointed Wales captain for the clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday week.
The Newport Gwent Dragons number eight will take over from full-back Gareth Thomas, who broke his thumb during last Saturday's stunning victory over France in Paris.
IRELAND SQUAD ADDITIONS: Forwards: S Best (Ulster), B Jackman (Connacht), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), Matt McCullough (Ulster). Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), K Campbell (Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), G Duffy (NEC Harlequins), A Horgan (Munster), S Payne (Munster).
IRELAND U19 (v Wales U19, Bedwas RFC, tonight, 7pm): Robert Kearney (UCD, capt); Robert Boles (Colston's College), Fergus McFadden (Clongowes Wood College), Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper High School), Alan McCormack (Lansdowne); Evan Ryan (UCC), Matthew D'Arcy (Dublin University); Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians), Gavin O'Meara (Lansdowne), Kevin Griffin (Shannon), David McGowan (Buccaneers), Fergal Walsh (UCC), Daniel Dawson (Cooke), Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University), David Sherry (Ard Scoil Rís). Replacements: Callum Black (Hartpury College), Brendan Lynch (Rotherham), Conor Muldoon (Galwegians), Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare), Killian Lett (UCD), Eric Moloney (UCC), Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere), Frank Daly (Thomond), Chris Kenefick (UCC), Nigel Lysaght (Blackrock RFC). Coach - Pat Murray; assistant coach - Bryan Hyland, manager - Michael Cunningham
Note: Bedwas RFC is north of Cardiff, between Caerphilly and Newport.
