Eddie O'Sullivan has an important task ahead

While there is an Ireland warm-weather winter training camp in Lanzarote from 14-21 December, it is believed that discussions are still continuing.

The IRFU had informed all four provincial Director's of Rugby months ago that if any reached the Celtic Cup final, the international players would be unavailable for the game. That is how things stand at present.

It will be the first chance for coach Eddie O'Sullivan to link up with his squad since they returned from Australia and a World Cup post mortem will be a vital ingredient on the menu.

O'Sullivan, a meticulous organiser who is already working on a four-year plan toward the 2007 World Cup, has a busy schedule mapped out for the training week.

As well as giving individual player appraisals, it is mainly a fitness and training programme leading into the new Six Nations campaign.

However, O'Sullivan said that there could be a review of the situation despite things being planned months in advance.

''Officially all provinces were informed five months ago that any players selected for the training in Lanzarote would not be available for the Celtic Cup final,'' O'Sullivan told this website.

For me as a coach to have all the players is obviously very important. But in saying that, the decision is not set in stone Eddie O'Sullivan

''But all things can be reviewed, and it may be that there could be a change.

''The week in Lanzarote is extremely important for a number of reasons. Mainly it's a fitness camp in preparation for the Six Nations and there will be important discussions with all senior players.

''For me as a coach that is obviously very important. But in saying that, the decision is not set in stone.''

While obviously wanting his star players available, Ulster coach Alan Solomons said that everything was in the hands of the IRFU, and he will stick by their decision.

Solomons always believed that the international side must come first.

Depending on the size of the training panel, Ulster stand to lose up to nine players.

Fly-half David Humphreys is a very senior international player and a very important member of O'Sullivan's side.

As well as Humphreys, other World Cup squad members Neil Doak, Simon Best, Gary Longwell, Tyrone Howe and Paddy Wallace could also be called up for warm-weather training.

Periphery players like Paul Shields, Bryn Cunningham and James Topping may also be asked to travel.

In the meantime, Solomons will be relying on the squad that took Ulster to the Celtic Cup during the World Cup. However, that may yet change.