Ireland prop Marcus Horan has been passed fit to play in tomorrow's crucial Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome's Stadio Flaminio.
Horan missed last Saturday's 19-18 victory over Scotland in Murrayfiled with a calf strain which flared up during training. He was given until today to prove his fitness ahead of the Azzurri meeting.
The Munster frontrow has trained all week and came through another session this morning and showed no adverse reaction to the injury.
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said today that though cannot be 100 per cent sure with a "grade one" injury - as it could be aggravated overnight - he was happy to confirm the Horan as a starter.
"Marcus is fine," said the coach. "He had a run-out this morning and so far everything is good. We are 95 per cent sure he will be right for Italy.
"Obviously, something could flare up overnight, but today I'm happy with his fitness."
His inclusion means Simon Best, who stood in against Scotland, will drop back to the bench and his Ulster team-mate Bryan Young will miss out.
Best offered good cover in the Murrayfield win but Horan's ball carrying skills will add more dynamism to the Irish pack and help secure possession further up the pitch than they did against Scotland.
The news of the prop's return is especially welcome after Italy were yesterday forced to plan without their loosehead Andrea Lo Cicero, who is suffering from the flu.
Lo Cicero's condition means Italy will be without their notoriously effective first choice frontrow and will be unable to introduce an entirely fresh one from the bench late in the game - a ploy they have used with great success in the past.
Italy will also be without their flanker Mauro Bergamasco who was banned for four-weeks on Tuesday for punching Wales's Stephen Jones.
Bergamasco is a key player for Pierre Berbizier; he showed as much when running in the winning try at the death against Wales. His absence also denies the coach of the option of partnering the versatile flanker with his brother Mirco in the centre.
Ireland need to secure a convincing win over the Italians if they are to have any hope of taking the title for the first time in 22 years. France, who host Scotland in Paris, are still in pole position for the championship as their points difference is four better than Ireland's.
England can also win the championship if they beat Wales and results elsewhere go their way. Mathematically, Italy can also win but realistically it's between Ireland and France
Italy, however, will be in no mood to role over as they go in search of a record third consecutive win in the championship, having seen off Wales in Rome last week and stunned Scotland in Edinburgh last month with three early tries en route to securing their first away win in the Six Nations.
