Keith Wood and Rob Henderson are in line for recalls to the Irish team against France in the final Six Nations rendezvous in Paris on Saturday week after being included in a 24-man squad announced yesterday.

Presuming they come through their respective club games this weekend, then it wouldn't be that surprising to see both Lions named in the starting line-up.

That will be confirmed as usual in Greystones next Tuesday prior to the squad's departure the next day to their base in Chantilly. Henderson (sidelined since injuring his groin against England in Twickenham six weeks ago) plays for Young Munster on Saturday against Lansdowne while his fellow Lion will play for Harlequins against Bristol on Sunday, and coach Eddie O'Sullivan sounded reasonably optimistic about the prospects for both of them.

"He (Henderson) has trained very hard for the past few weeks and all the indications are that he will make it. Woody's the same. His back has cleared up and he'll be playing for Harlequins on Sunday before we assemble that night."

If Wood and Henderson are named in the Test 22 on Tuesday, then two players would drop down and fill the remaining couple of vacancies in the Grand Slam-chasing A squad, most probably Frankie Sheahan and Tyrone Howe.

The one concern is Simon Easterby. "He has a disc injury which is creating a problem with a nerve in his shoulder and he won't play (for Llanelli) this weekend, but again he should be okay," said O'Sullivan.

As for the French, despite recalling their outstanding tight-head Pieter de Villiers, lock David Auradou and full-back Clement Poittrenneau, somewhat curiously team manager Joe Maso has said that the actual starting line-up will be the same as that which played Scotland last Saturday.

"We wanted to show respect for those players who won that game," said Maso. "Our final match against Ireland is the most important because it gives us the opportunity to clinch the Grand Slam for the first time (since 1998). It would be the cherry on the cake and a great reward for the players who have been working really hard for the past two years."

Coach Bernard Laporte shares Maso's concern over opponents who have won their last two matches against the French.

"Ireland have progressed a lot in the past four years and the game a week on Saturday will be difficult. On the other hand, we have also improved a lot, especially in defence.

"Since our victory against South Africa we have more or less used the same players and the 22 that I name on Tuesday will be the players most capable of living up expectations and winning the game and the Grand Slam."

In the fall-out from Ireland's win over the Italians last Saturday, the Azzurri prop Salvatore Perugini has been suspended for 20 weeks, after being cited for headbutting Peter Stringer, by the match commissioner Russell Howell.

Though the player was punished up to a point at the time with a yellow card, this is a welcome precedent given the match officials scandalously copped out of a more fitting red card.

Meanwhile, with the Easter holidays looming, today is reckoned to be d-day in the saga regarding Matt Williams's future, and whether he remains with Leinster or joins Saracens this summer.

As of yesterday evening the outcome of Williams's month-long negotiations with both parties was still too close to call with any degree of certainty. The Vicarage Road club were presenting Williams's arrival to sections of the English media as virtually a fait accompli fully a week ago.

By comparison, one IRFU source last night described the prognosis as "50-50", adding that "like all these things, they're never as clear cut as you'd like them to be."

His agent, John Baker, remained mildly upbeat about the chances of Williams staying put. "I'm quite confident, but I'm not taking anything for granted."

It is the protracted nature of the discussions between the relative parties and the ongoing delay in Williams's decision since then which suggests that English confidence may have been slightly misplaced.

Granted, the former New South Wales Waratahs coach returned on Tuesday evening from another visit to Saracens and not alone has he assuredly been offered more money, but quite possibly a more clearly defined and autonomous role as the club's director of rugby as well.

But this visit to London was also borne out of courtesy and it is not thought that the discrepancy in personal earnings would be a primary factor in Williams leaving for Saracens. Granted, a final announcement had been expected yesterday, and the latest delay suggests the union and Williams are finalising the nitty gritty of a new contract.

So, provided the parameters of the contract and the professional back-up in the province equate to those at Saracens, then the odds would seemingly favour him carrying on the fine job he has started with Leinster.