RUGBY: Donncha O'Callaghan will not be available for selection when Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan names his match 22 for Saturday week's Six Nations Championship game against England at Twickenham.
The Irish squad will be confirmed on Friday.
O'Callaghan suffered medial knee ligament damage during the victory over Wales at Lansdowne Road last Saturday.
A scan revealed the extent of the damage, an unfortunate blow for the young Cork Constitution and Munster player, who now hopes to be fit for Ireland's game against Italy at Lansdowne Road on March 20th.
An extended Irish squad is in camp, training until tomorrow, before reconvening on Sunday to prepare for the England game. Ulster second row Gary Longwell is one of eight players called into the camp and is the most likely replacement for O'Callaghan.
The other players to join the training camp were Gavin Duffy (Harlequins), Rob Henderson (Munster), Anthony Horgan (Munster), John Kelly (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Connacht)Matt McCullough (Ulster) and Neil McMillan (Ulster).
Meanwhile Leinster's injury crisis continues to grow as captain Shane Jennings (shoulder) and David Quinlan (knee) could be out for a month.
Following Friday night's hugely disappointing defeat to the Celtic Warriors, coach Gary Ella makes several changes to his team which will take on Edinburgh on Friday at Meadowbank .
Gary Brown, Brian O'Riordan and Aidan Kearney drop to the bench to be replaced by Matt Leek, Brian O'Meara and Ciarán Potts respectively. Felipe Contepomi switches to the centre to partner Christian Warner with Leek at outhalf.
Victor Costello has been made available by the Irish team management and he starts at number eight with Des Dillon, who takes over as captain, moving to theblindside.
Enda Bohan is unavailable so Jason Moran is added to the bench.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made eight changes to the side to play Glasgow at the Sportsground on Saturday as the Irish province hope to bounce back from last weekend's defeat by Cardiff.
Six of the changes are up front with Bernard Jackman and Adrian Clarke returning to the front row, while Mike McCarthy partners Andrew Farley in the second row.
There is a new back-row formation with flankers Paul Neville and Tom Carter returning with John O'Sullivan at number eight. Behind the scrum Shane Moore starts at inside centre with top try scorer Conor McPhillips returning to the left wing.
LEINSTER: J Norton; J McWeeney, C Warner, F Contepomi, B Burke; M Leek, B O'Meara; P Coyle, G Hickie, S Brophy; B Gissing, C Potts; D Dillon (capt), V Costello, N Ronan. Replacements: J Moran, D Blaney, A Kearney, S Crawford, B O'Riordan, J Downey, G Brown.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, S Moore, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O'Loughlin; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke; M McCarthy, A Farley; P Neville, J O'Sullivan, T Carter. Replacements: J Fogarty, F Boiroux, D Browne, M Swift, M Walls, D Hewitt, T Robinson.
