By Jim Stokes BBC Sport

Johnny O'Connor ready to step up into the Ireland squad

O'Sullivan will announce up to a 40-man squad to undergo Six Nations preparations next Wednesday.

Undoubtedly some up-and-coming players will come into the reckoning to boost an ageing squad.

But while O'Sullivan will stick mainly with his World Cup squad, some strangers could force their way in.

There is some great talent out there, and while they might have a peripheral role during this championship, they will certainly be part of O'Sullivan's overall plan for the 2007 World Cup.

Two players in particular will come into the already overflowing back-row mix - Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor and Ulster number eight Roger Wilson.

When former Ireland coach Warren Gatland brought O'Connor over to London, it was just the test that the boy from Galway needed to up the tempo of an already fulfilling game.

Ulster attempted to sign him three summers ago when he was making waves at Connacht and already touted as an international. Unfortunately red tape prevented that.

But with Connact's problems exacerbated off the pitch and the likelihood that, despite more exciting performances in the Parker Pen Shield, the western province is still set for the chop, it was time to go.

No self-respecting Johnny from the West of Ireland would leave out the 'h' Johnny O'Connor

O'Connor's life is rugby, and if it fails there is nothing else, as yet.

So when he asked his agent to inquire about the possibility of a move to Wasps after three years of backs-to-the-wall existence with Connacht, Gatland obliged.

Playing with the big boys has just increased his desire to play for Ireland, and those around him say that it is only a matter of time.

Take Lawrence Dallaglio for example. "He's good enough to play for Ireland without a doubt," said the England star about the Zurich Premiership Player of the Month for December.

"He's proved himself to be a very good player. With all due respect to Connacht, I don't think he was going to get the recognition in Ireland that he possibly deserves.

''He's a different player to a lot of the sevens around at the moment, more of a young Josh Kronfeld."

Fine praise indeed for the player who says that he spells his Christian name with an ''h''. ''No self-respecting Johnny from the West of Ireland would leave out the 'h','' said the 23-year-old O'Connor.

''When they start spelling my name right then I'll know I'm getting places over here.''

I suspect he is already getting somewhere, and next week he should be part of O'Sullivan's enlarged family at last.

Ulster number eight Roger Wilson destined for higher honours

So should Wilson, another 23-year-old blonde-haired Belfast lad who has bounced onto the scene this season.

He has made the middle of the back-row his own this season in an Ulster team that still fails to be consistent. But Wilson is.

Munster's Anthony Foley is the man in possession, and likely to remain there for this season, and probably as captain.

But Wilson, along with O'Connor, will make the summer tour to South Africa when O'Sullivan will start nurturing his 2007 World Cup squad.

Wilson has it all. Pace, strength, ball-handling skills, a big tackle and a wherewithal that belies his tender age.

He comes from a magical rugby pedigree. His mother is a McKibbin, that great Ulster rugby dynasty that brought Harry, Des, Roger, and Alastair onto the international rugby arenas around the world.

His grandfather Harry was a former Lions centre, and a war hero, and Wilson looks to his exploits for inspiration.

''I used to sit on his knee and listen intently to his story-telling of the war and of the Lions tours,'' said Wilson, nicknamed Pigeon after his past-time of clay-pigeon shooting.

''I admire him so much. He was my inspiration to play rugby and aspire to play for Ireland.''

That will undoubtedly come sooner rather than later.