SCRUM-HALF Alain Rolland, who is due to captain the Ireland A team against Wales at Donnybrook tomorrow, passed a fitness test yesterday on the damaged hamstring that forced him to miss the team training last weekend.

Unless there is unexpected reaction when he trains with the team today in Westmanstown he will play. "It has responded very well to treatment and, when I tested it, I was able to do everything without any problem and will definitely play," said Rolland, who led the Ireland A team to victory over Scotland last month.

The Ireland team to meet Wales in the International Championship on Saturday, assembled in Dublin last night. Full back Simon Mason, who will make his senor debut on Saturday, arrived from his Leeds base early yesterday afternoon and spent considerable time practising his place kicking at Lansdowne Road.

He will be Ireland's place kicker, taking over the duties from outhalf David Humphreys. Mason, who plays for Orrell in the English first division, is the second highest points scorer in the top division.