The announcement of the 22-man Irish squad for the game against Australia at Lansdowne Road on November 9th has been deferred until today. The Irish management team held further discussions yesterday thus enabling all the squad members an extra 24 hours to recover from their exertions over the weekend.
It is also likely they will be seeking further information on Keith Wood's damaged disc in his neck which has seen him rest for the last five weeks before resuming light running yesterday.
In the circumstances therefore, it is unlikely that the Irish captain will be included in the squad for the Australian game along with Simon Easterby, who has been sidelined with an injured a/c joint, as well as Rob Henderson and the other long-term causualties Paul O'Connell and David Wallace.
Indeed, the odds must be against Wood or Easterby being available for the subsequent internationals at home to Fiji on November 17th and Argentina on November 23rd.
With Frankie Sheahan back in the frame and playing regularly for Munster, whereas Paul Shields has been confined to a bench role for Ulster, the former is the more likely selection along with Shane Byrne at hooker if Wood is ruled out of the squad.
The options in the backrow in light of Easterby's injury are further limited by Eric Miller's lack of rugby this season. Although he may make a return for Terenure this weekend after breaking his hand against Newport at the beginning of October, Miller has missed Leinster's last three matches and, indeed, has played only one and a half games for the province this season.
By contrast, Alan Quinlan has played seven games for Munster this season, and he's also alternated between blindside and openside (and has played at number eight) and looks more likely to be selected. Victor Costello, given he was recalled to the bench for the game against Romania in September, would seem best placed to complete the four back rowers, although his erstwhile Leinster team-mate, Trevor Brennan, may also enter discussions.
The other enforced change in the 22-man squad is the result of Henderson's torn bicep. Here the fit-again duo of Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan bring contrasting strengths and versatility to the equation, with the former covering wing and full-back while Horgan has played at both inside centre and on the wing for Ireland.
The Munster v Connacht Celtic League quarter-final will be played at Musgrave Park. The game is scheduled for the last weekend in November with Friday 29th being pencilled in by Munster Branch officials subject to confirmation by TG4. If the game is played on the Friday, the kick-off will be 7.35 p.m.
New Zealand included the out-of-form Jonah Lomu yesterday when they named a 26-man squad to tour England, Wales and France next month. Taine Randell has been reinstated as captain.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: B Blair (Canterbury), D Braid (Auckland), S Broomhall (Canterbury), C Cullen (Wellington), S Devine (Auckland), C Hayman (Otago), M Holah (Waikato), A Hore (Taranaki), D Howlett (Auckland), R King (Waikato), D Lee (Otago), J Lomu (Wellington), K Lowen (Waikato), K Mealamu (Auckland), K Meeuws (Auckland), A Mehrtens (Canterbury), J McDonnell (Otago), B Mika (Auckland), T Randell (Otago, captain), K Robinson (Waikato), M Robinson (Canterbury), R So'oialo (Wellington), C Spencer (Auckland), T Umaga (Wellington), A Williams (Auckland), T Woodcock (North Harbour).
