Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is due to name his starting XV for the Lansdowne Road clash with Wales tomorrow, when talisman hooker Keith Wood could find himself back in the fold.
The Lions star missed most of last season due to injury, and has not represented his country since Ireland’s World Cup qualifying matches almost a year ago.
Wood, centre Brian O’Driscoll, wing Shane Horgan and number eight Anthony Foley, who were unavailable for Ireland’s recent summer tour to Australia, Tonga and Samoa, could all start against Wales.
Six players were not considered by O’Sullivan because of injury – James Topping, Ronan O’Gara, Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Neil Doak and Emmet Byrne.