Wood could make his comeback against Wales on 16 August

Keith Wood, Ireland's talisman who has fought his way back from a career-threatening shoulder injury, is set to lead his country in the World Cup.

The 31-year-old who quit Harlequins at the end of an injury-decimated season, is set to make his comeback against Wales in Dublin next month.

And, if he proves his fitness in the pre-World Cup internationals, Wood will almost certainly reclaim the captaincy from centre Brian O'Driscoll, who led the team to the runners-up spot in the 2003 RBS 6 Nations.

"If he's fit and well, he'll certainly be a strong contender for the World Cup captaincy," said coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

The Irish supremo has been able to select the Limerick-born player for just four of his 21 matches in charge of the national team.

"Brian did a very good job last year. It's been a good experience for him and a very productive one.

"But I think Brian would see Keith as the captain of the side if he was there.

"It's not a dilemma but we want to make sure we've got everybody on board before we name a captain".

Keith would have to play in the warm-up matches to prove his fitness Eddie O'Sullivan

Ireland, currently at a pre-season training camp in Poland, will play the first of three warm-up internationals against Wales on 16 August.

They will also take on Italy in Limerick and Scotland in Edinburgh before naming their World Cup squad.

Wood won the last of his 51 caps in the World Cup qualifier against Russia in Krasnoyarsk last September but went on Ireland's recent summer tour.

"Keith would have to play in the warm-up matches to prove his fitness," admitted O'Sullivan.

"He came on the summer tour and, although he didn't play, in the last week he was in a position where he could have played if he had to".

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara is battling to be fit for the 16 August clash with the Welsh after sustaining damage to a scaphoid bone on the summer tour.