News round-up: Keith Wood successfully negotiated his second full game after injury yesterday when playing for Harlequins in their Zurich Premiership defeat (41-30) away to Bristol, grabbing a try in the process.

He now seems likely to lead Ireland in the final Six Nations Championship game against France at Stade de France on Saturday unless he suffers a reaction to the back and calf injuries.

Continuing the good-news theme for the Ireland team management was the fact that Rob Henderson returned to competitive fare following a groin injury sustained against England, scoring a try as Young Munster beat Lansdowne in an AIB League Division One match on Saturday.

However, any satisfaction at the recovery of two key players will be tempered by the news that Eric Miller has been forced out of the squad once again, this time after suffering concussion while playing for Terenure College at the weekend.

Ireland's unluckiest player as far as injury is concerned is replaced by St Mary's College openside flanker Keith Gleeson, a player who was unfortunate to miss out in the first place.

Galwegians young tyro Johnny O'Connor is called into the Ireland A squad.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan will now have to decide on the two players that will drop down to the Ireland A squad. He is likely to monitor the fitness of both Wood and Henderson before confirming his decision when the Ireland and Ireland A teams are named after training tomorrow.

Assuming that both Wood and Henderson report no ill effects it seems likely that Frankie Sheahan and Tyrone Howe will drop down to the A team to facilitate the pair's return.

O'Sullivan must then decide whether Wood and Henderson warrant starting places on the team to face France.

Ireland under-21 tighthead prop Brian Young required a few stitches in a head wound but he is expected to take his place in the team to play France next Friday.

It was an uneventful weekend for the French coach Bernard Laporte following an injury to 21-year-old sensation and first-choice number eight, Imanol Harinordoquy. He is expected to recover from a knock sustained in a club game.

Definitely out is replacement second row Thibault Privat with a knee injury.

Team manager Jo Maso said: "Thibault has a painful knee caused by a bruise and a sprain. He had a scan on Sunday morning."

No replacement has yet been added to the French squad.