Lions and Irish prop Paul Wallace was the only absentee from the 28-man Irish squad which gathered at Finnstown House, Lucan last night for a three-day training session. The Saracens player injured a knee in yesterday's league defeat by Wasps and was not asked to join up with the squad immediately.
The Irish management are hoping that he will travel over today having received medical attention for the problem. The squad will train today at the Garda Club, Westmanstown before switching to King's Hospital, Palmerstown, tomorrow and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Shannon flanker Alan Quinlan has been added to the squad following a series of outstanding performances. Ireland coach Warren Gatland decided to promote the Tipperary-born flanker after another high profile display, this time in Munster's victory over Leinster at Donnybrook.
Friday night's Donnybrook encounter left a legacy of sore bodies, although none of the injuries are considered seriously debilitating. St Mary's College number eight, Victor Costello, may be excused some of the contact sessions as may Young Munster prop Peter Clohessy who is hampered by a back injury. Quinlan suffered shoulder and knee injuries but they should not stop him taking part.
Jeremy Davidson, the recipient of a cowardly punch while playing for Castres against Italian side Roma in a European Shield match nine days ago, will also be excused. The perpetrator was Roma's South African born lock Adri Geldenhuys who thumped the Irish Lion from behind, off the ball.
A broken nose and 15 stitches in his mouth underlines the seriousness of the blow. Gatland confirmed that Davidson would be spared physical contact. The Irish coach anticipates a productive three days, given the undivided attention of the squad and the beginning of serious preparation for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Romania.
"It's good to get three days together, something that we will repeat next week. After that we will look to reduce the squad to about 24 players for the World Cup qualifiers," said Gatland, who was a spectator at Ravenhill last Friday night, an occasion he thoroughly enjoyed. "It was the best match that I have seen all year."
Gatland's journey to Belfast was primarily to examine Eric Miller's form: "He's a match or two away from full sharpness but he defended well on the fringes and showed touches of skill."
Meanwhile, Leinster are almost certainly without John McWeeney and Brian Carey - injured against Munster - for Saturday's European Cup clash with Begles-Bordeaux in France. McWeeney underwent surgery for a damaged tear duct on Saturday while the extent of Carey's knee injury is not yet known. The prognosis is not good.
