Rugby: Malcolm O'Kelly has been restored to the Ireland squad for tomorrow week's Six Nations Championship game against England at Twickenham. Eric Miller, an original choice who later withdrew because of a stomach complaint, is reinstated.
O'Kelly replaces the unfortunate Paul O'Connell who is sidelined for the mandatory three weeks after sustaining a concussion in the 54-10 victory over Wales last Sunday. The Young Munster player celebrated his debut with a try but was subsequently replaced by Gary Longwell after receiving a blow to the head during the first half of the match.
Miller's return means St Mary's and Leinster flanker Keith Gleeson, another player to embellish his Ireland debut with a try in the Welsh game, drops down to the shadow squad for the A international against England in Northampton this day week.
Shane Horgan is still hampered by injury therefore guaranteeing a place for Munster's Rob Henderson in the match 22 for Twickenham.
Similarly Keith Wood's calf injury denied his presence in the squad although the Harlequins hooker will join his international team-mates when they convene on the Sunday, primarily as a motivator and galvanising presence behind the scenes. The Ireland medical team will examine Wood to note how the calf problem is progressing.
His coach at Harlequins, John Kingston, offered a pessimistic outlook on the hooker's plight, suggesting that he could also miss the Scotland game, a fortnight later. The Ireland team management are not willing to discount his availability for the Scots game.
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan explained: "Keith (Wood) had a scan on Tuesday and there was a significant improvement in his condition. It was very positive. We will look at him again when he comes in on Sunday and we would be hopeful that with another two weeks he could make the Scottish game."
Three of the Ireland team that started against Wales, Geordan Murphy, Kevin Maggs and Simon Easterby could be in action tomorrow for their clubs because the IRFU cannot enforce a rest weekend, something that is within their remit for the Irish-based players.
The Irish team will be announced on Tuesday following a training session at Dr Hickey Park. It is reasonable to assume that O'Kelly will replace O'Connell in the second row but that management must decided whether to restore Miller to the back row or retain Simon Easterby, who had an excellent game against Wales.
There are two vacancies in the Ireland A squad and those will be filled after the weekend round of AIB League matches.
Jeremy Staunton will be considered if he lines out for Garryowen against St Mary's following an ankle injury: Jason Holland, on the bench against Wales A in Cork the last day is the other contender.
The vacancy in the pack will be filled by either Bob Casey (not due to start for Blackrock) or Donnacha O'Callaghan, who lines out to play for Cork Con. Tony McWhirter loses out on a squad place as Andy Ward has been retained.
BACKS
G Dempsey
(Leinster)
G Murphy
(Leicester)
R Henderson
(Munster)
B O'Driscoll
(Leinster)
K Maggs
(Bath)
D Hickie
(Leinster)
R O'Gara
(Munster)
D Humphreys
(Ulster)
G Easterby
(Llanelli)
FORWARDS
P Stringer
(Munster)
P Clohessy
(Munster)
F Sheahan
(Munster)
S Byrne
(Leinster)
J Hayes
(Munster)
P Wallace
(Leinster)
M Galwey
(Munster)
M O'Kelly
(Leinster)
G Longwell
(Ulster)
S Easterby
(Llanelli)
E Miller
(Leinster)
A Foley
(Munster)
D Wallace
(Munster).
