RUGBY/Six Nations Championship: Gordon D'Arcy's improving fitness may allow him to appear for Leinster this weekend in their Celtic League match against Welsh side Neath-Swansea Ospreys. No commitment to the province has been made, but his appearance in a blue shirt has not been ruled out by the Irish management.

The Irish centre, and last year's outstanding player in the competition, injured his hamstring in Ireland's opening game of the Six Nations Championship against Italy in Rome just over four weeks ago.

D'Arcy is set to be available for Ireland's match against France in Lansdowne Road on March 12th, but may use the Leinster game to gain some playing time before plunging in at the higher level.

A decision will be made later in the week as to whether to allow him a run-out.

The signs are encouraging and D'Arcy has been training without difficulty at squad sessions.

His return to the Ireland side would probably push Shane Horgan from centre out to the flank with current right wing Girvan Dempsey reverting to the bench.

"No decision has yet been made regarding Gordon. He is still in rehabilitation and nothing will be decided until later in the week," said an IRFU spokesman yesterday.

While Ireland's 19-13 win over England has moved the team into the IRB's top four rugby nations for the first time since November 2003, coach Eddie O'Sullivan will have a fretful day or so waiting for news of Horgan, who received an injury to his right thumb in the latter stages of Sunday's match.

Although he remained on the pitch until the game finished, Horgan had tests carried out yesterday. The extent of the injury, and whether he has damaged a bone, will not be known until today at the earliest.

O'Sullivan has also agreed that all of the Ireland bench players will be available for selection for their provincial sides in the weekend's Celtic League fixtures before they gather at the team hotel on Sunday for the usual seven-day run-in to Ireland's fourth game of the championship.

On Friday Connacht face Edinburgh in Murrayfield while Ulster play Glasgow in Ravenhill. Munster travel to Cardiff on Saturday to meet Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park and Leinster face the testing challenge of Celtic League leaders Ospreys in Dublin on Sunday.

The scheduling of the games is timely for Keith Gleeson, whose physical condition will be of some interest to O'Sullivan, as well as Leinster coach Declan Kidney. The backrow forward was O'Sullivan's regular pick at openside flanker until he broke his leg last July. Since then Gleeson has recovered well and at the weekend came on as a second-half substitute for Brian Brophy in his club's 26-7 win over DLSP in the Leinster Senior Cup final.

Kidney will want to take a good look at Gleeson's form and condition before the March 10th deadline for registration of Heineken European Cup players. Leinster's match in Donnybrook against Ospreys will be the last opportunity for the Leinster coach to see the player perform at the higher level before making his choice.

European Cup quarter-finalists are permitted to sign two additional players before March 10th. Gleeson was not originally registered because his long-term injury came before the first Leinster selection had taken place and he was therefore not considered.

Kidney will, however, be able to strengthen his squad with the addition of the two Irish bench players, Guy Easterby and Eric Miller, who are available to him.

Meanwhile, Wales coach Mike Ruddock has confirmed number eight Michael Owen is favourite to take over as captain from the injured Gareth Thomas against Scotland on March 13th.

Owen would be the 122nd player to lead Wales in all internationals after full-back Thomas fractured his right thumb against France at the weekend.

Thomas was expected to have an operation yesterday to put a plate and screws in his thumb and is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

England's Jamie Noon last night backed Wales to have the edge if they clash in a Grand Slam showdown later this month.

"Wales will provide a very difficult task for Ireland, especially with the game being in Cardiff as well. Ireland are playing well, but I think that Wales are playing a little bit better," said Noon.