Six squad players take five

Six of Ireland's international squad will sit out this weekend's action in an effort to shake off various injury problems in time for the Five Nations Championship game against Wales at Wembley this day week.

The Irish team management's greatest concern, in an injury context, is St Mary's College number eight Victor Costello who misses his team's clash with Shannon at Templeville Road with torn rib cartilage. A decision on his fitness will not be taken until Tuesday.

Young Munster have agreed to rest prop Peter Clohessy as their captain is suffering from a minor shoulder niggle. His absence from the Blackrock College game is a precautionary measure.

Jeremy Davidson is not expected to play for Castres this weekend in an attempt to recover from a haematoma suffered in the defeat by France. Dungannon will be without international duo David Humphreys and Jonathon Bell for their difficult trip to Limerick and a crucial clash with Old Crescent.

Bell is the more serious concern but he is confident that the neck/ shoulder injury which forced his early departure in the French game will clear up in time for Wembley.

Andy Ward, who missed the French game after straining knee ligaments in the European Cup final against Colomiers, will not play for Ballynahinch.

The New Zealand-born flanker considered playing half a match but the national management decreed that he did not need to prove his fitness by lining out.

Meanwhile, the IRFU have confirmed that no decision has been taken regarding the Nissan logo on the playing surface at Lansdowne Road - Lloyds TSB Bank have an agreement as title sponsors for on-pitch logos - an advertising deal that netted the union £25,000 for the French match. It was a once-off arrangement and the IRFU have indicated that nothing has been agreed for the next home game against England.