Ireland’s Jerrry Flannery has been passed fit ahead of the crucial Six Nations clash with Wales in Lansdowne Road on Sunday. The Munster hooker had been struggling with a slight ankle injury but has come through a full training session today with no adverse effects.
Shane Byrne, called in as cover, has been released back to Saracens.
Meanwhile, Simon Easterby has branded the current crisis gripping Welsh rugby a "mess", but does not believe it will influence the Grand Slam champions.
The Welsh game has frequently courted controversy and even though last season’s Six Nations Championship heroics are still fresh in the memory, it finds itself embroiled in a new dispute.
Mike Ruddock’s extraordinary removal as coach and the appointment of Scott Johnson as his temporary successor has once again exposed the Welsh Rugby Union to ridicule.
But it is not just the WRU who have come under fire with reports stating a cabal of senior players forced Ruddock - the mastermind of last year’s Grand Slam triumph - to leave.
Public opinion is firmly on Ruddock’s side with the players’ actions viewed suspiciously, but a strong performance in Dublin on Sunday would go some way towards repairing the damage.
As Llanelli skipper, Easterby is closer to events in Wales than most of his Irish team-mates but the flanker insists he remains in the dark over recent events and does not fear a backlash on Sunday.
"It’s all a bit of a mess but knowing a lot of Wales players they will stick together and will put in a performance for Mike as the outgoing coach and for Scott Johnson as the new coach," he said. "What’s happened won’t have a bearing on Sunday. They’re a very capable side. My thoughts also go out to their captain Gareth Thomas — you don’t want to see a player drop out like that.
"Maybe the players will have a point to prove. No one really knows what went on behind the scenes. Only the Welsh players can tell you that. I’m not going to try and speculate on what exactly happened with Mike leaving. He gave his reasons for leaving and Wales need to deal with that.
"We have to look after ourselves as we’ll still meet a very good Wales side, as we would have done whether Mike was involved or not."
Victory on Sunday would nudge Ireland’s Six Nations title challenge back on track following the bizarre 43-31 defeat by France.
With England yet to travel to Paris and France losing in Edinburgh in their opener, the competition looks wide open — although Andy Robinson’s world champions remain in the driving seat.
The Ireland under-21s have been forced make a change ahead of tonight’s meeting with Wales in Dubarry Park in Athlone (7.45p.m.).
UCC prop Daragh Hurley has been forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Callum Black of Worcester Warriors.
Michael Diffley of Buccaneers takes a place on the bench.
