Six Nations/News round-up: It proved to be a double celebration for Paul O'Connell this weekend. Not only did he play a handsome part in Munster's Heineken European Cup quarter-final victory over Stade Francais in Paris but he has been promoted from the Ireland A to the senior squad for next Sunday's opening Six Nations Championship match against Wales at Lansdowne Road.

O'Connell will join the senior squad as a precautionary measure following the national and provincial medical teams' decision to withdraw Leinster second-row Malcolm O'Kelly from yesterday's European game against Leicester with a damaged eye socket and cheekbone.

No replacement for O'Connell in the A squad will be confirmed until today, when the vacancy left by Jonathan Bell (damaged achilles tendon) will also be filled.

Keith Wood will travel to Dublin despite not playing for Harlequins in their Premiership game against Northampton on Saturday, a match he felt he had to play in to have any chance of making the Welsh game.

His fitness will be reviewed over the next few days and coach Eddie O'Sullivan will give his captain every opportunity to make the game. Shane Horgan retired prematurely at Welford Road with sore ribs, having gone into the game with bruising to the same area.

The Irish squad gathered at the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow last night to begin week-long preparations for the Welsh game.

Meanwhile, two of Bath's England backs, Mike Catt and Mike Tindall, suffered knee strains just six days ahead of England's game against Scotland.