 Jerry Flannery in action at Ireland squad training on Tuesday |
Jerry Flannery is one of three hookers named in Ireland's squad for their opening Six Nations game against Wales on 4 February. Both Frank Sheahan and Ulster's Rory Best are suffering slight calf strains but fit-again Flannery has also been included in the 24-man squad.
Malcolm O'Kelly is troubled by a knee injury but is named in the squad.
Shane Horgan's absence means inclusion for Denis Hickie while Ulster's Tommy Bowe and Bryan Young are left out.
Young suffers because of the inclusion of the third hooker with his Ulster colleague Simon Best preferred for one of the three prop spots.
Flannery missed Ireland's autumn internationals because of injury but he has returned to Munster duty in recent weeks.
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Horgan is already ruled out of the two opening Championship games.
The winger sustained a knee injury in Leinster's Heineken Cup defeat by Gloucester on Friday.
He is expected to be out for four to six weeks, meaning he will miss the Welsh game and the home clash against France on 11 February.
Horgan will also be a doubt for the arrival of England on 24 February and may only return to face Scotland on 10 March.
Ireland Squad
Forwards: N Best, R Best, S Best, S Easterby, J Flannery, J Hayes, M Horan, D Leamy, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M O'Driscoll, M O'Kelly, F Sheahan, D Wallace
Backs: I Boss, G Dempsey, G D'Arcy, D Hickie, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, R O'Gara, P Stringer, A Trimble, P Wallace.
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