The Ireland squad for the Six Nations Championship match against Wales on Saturday week will be announced today along with the shadow XV that will contest the A international against their Welsh counterparts at Donnybrook on Friday week.
The main talking point, following Ireland's brilliant victory over France at the weekend, centres on the player who lost out to injury, Shane Horgan.
Lansdowne have named the international in the centre for Saturday's AIB League Division One game against Garryowen at Lansdowne Road but there remains a concern that the severe bruising to the knee may not allow him to participate.
He is likely to be named in the senior squad at this juncture on the proviso that he proves his fitness over the weekend. His replacement in Paris, Bath's Kevin Maggs, enjoyed a solid defensive game, his attacking forays limited by a lack of ball. Andy Ward, who was drafted into the 22 because of a doubt surrounding the fitness of Kieron Dawson last week, may be retained.
His ability to play both sides of the back-row earned him a place in the 22 at the expense of Trevor Brennan. However, the St Mary's College captain should win back his place on the bench, an eventuality that might see Ward dropping out of the squad next week.
The vexed question of which out-half coach Warren Gatland should start is not likely to depend on the respective performances of Ronan O'Gara and David Humphreys in club fare this weekend. The Irish coach is also likely to resist the opportunity to promote any of the under-21 players to the A side despite the temptation to scrutinise the performances of potential tourists for the summer tour to Argentina, USA and Canada.
The Ireland team to play Wales will be announced next Wednesday.
DLSP are hoping to attract a big crowd to Kilternan on Saturday for their re-fixed AIB League Division One game against Shannon. The home side were originally to take on Clontarf but will now face the four-time champions.
Coach Phil Werahiko continues to persevere with Shane Stephens switch to the centre while Ireland A squad member Declan O'Brien will relish an opportunity to play against the vaunted Shannon back-row.
DLSP: E Devitt; J Corr, S Stephens, D McCabe, M Cunningham; D O'Riordan, B Hogan; M Kavanagh, S O'Donnell, N Condron; K Wheelock, R Frost; D O'Brien, T Giles (capt), B Wood.
Fixtures
March 25th, All Ireland League U-20 Final (Fraser McMullen Trophy) - Garryowen v Shannon, Thomond Park (7.30). Branch qualifying league winners' play-off round robin (2.30): Coleraine v Bruff; Connemara v Naas. Millennium Cup J1 quarter-finals (2.30): Buccaneers v Ballynahinch; Ballymena v Lansdowne. Millennium Cup J2 quarter- finals (2.30): Ballinrobe v Old Wesley; Skerries v Ballymena; Ballyclare v Nenagh. March 26th, Milliennium Cup J1 quarter-finals (2.30) - Greystones v Old Crescent; Garryowen v Galway Corinthians. Millennium Cup J2 quarter- final (2.30) - Cork Constitution v Ballina.
New Zealand-born flanker Brett Sinkinson, dropped by Wales because of doubts over his eligibility, has said he did not knowingly play under false pretences for his adopted country. Sinkinson and former All Black full back Shane Howarth were dropped for last Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland because it was not certain if they had a Welsh-born grandparent. "I have never set out to deceive anyone," said Sinkinson yesterday.
