Keith Wood has been named provisionally in Ireland’s squad to face Wales but his inclusion hinges on whether he is fit enough to turn out for his club side this weekend.
And while there were few surprises in new coach Eddie O’Sullivan's squad, the relegation of Lions center Rob Henderson to the ‘A’ squad will have raised a few eyebrows.
Wood has been struggling with a torn calf muscle for weeks and hasn’t played since December 15th.
The Ireland captain has maintained that he would have to play in his club side, Harlequins’, league match against Northampton on Saturday to have any hope of being fit to face the Welsh on February 3rd.
And at yesterday’s official Six Nations launch, Wood stressed he would be unwilling to put himself forward for consideration if he’s not at 100 per cent.
"There is no point going into an international not having played for six or seven weeks," he said.
"I would be no value to anyone and I'd rather miss it than play badly."
Wood is back in training, and participated briefly in last week’s Ireland session in Limerick, but is doubtful of whether the torn muscle will heal in time for the Six Nations opener.
"I've started running which is the main thing, normally you can take things from there. The injury proved a lot worse than I initially thought. I tore the calf and there was a lot of blood.
"It's not been resolved yet and nothing is set in stone. I've spoken to Eddie O'Sullivan but I don't know if I'll be fit."
Nevertheless, his inclusion in the 22-man squad announced this afternoon shows Wood has not yet ruled out the prospect of playing at Lansdowne Road in new coach, Eddie O’Sullivan’s first match in charge.
Henderson, meanwhile, will play no part in that match after losing his place to Kevin Maggs of Bath. Henderson picked up a knee injury during the British and Irish Lions summer tour to Australia and didn’t feature in Ireland’s autumn internationals.
The Munster player has struggled to regain his fitness and form and has featured only recently in Munster’s European campaign this season.
O’Sullivan has also delayed naming a third prop until Monday.
Ireland Squad v Wales
Forwards: Peter Clohessy (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), A.N. Other, Keith Wood (Harlequins), Frank Sheahan (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), Michael Galwey (Munster), Gary Longwell (Ulster), Anthony Foley (Munster), Eric Miller (Leinster), David Wallace (Munster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli).
Backs: Peter Stringer (Munster), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), David Humphreys (Ulster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester).
Ireland ‘A’ Squad v Wales
Forwards: Emmet Byrne (Leinster), Paul Wallace (Leinster), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Byrne (Leinster), Paul Shields (Ulster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Jeremy Davidson (Ulster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Victor Costelloe (Leinster), Keith Gleeson (Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), Tony McWhirter (Ulster).
Backs: Neil Doak (Ulster), Ben Willis (Leinster), Paul Burke (Harlequins), Rob Henderson (Munster), Jonathan Bell (Ulster), John Kelly (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Gordon Darcy (Leinster), Tyrone Howe (Ulster), Anthony Horgan, (Munster).
