Ulster utility back Paddy Wallace has been included in Ireland's 26-man panel to travel to World Cup qualifying tie against Russia in Krasnoyarsk on 21 September.

It is the first time that the 23-year-old former Ireland under-21 star, who made his debut for the A side last season, has been included in a senior squad.

Wallace is one of four players added to the original squad selected to face Romania on Saturday in Limerick.

As expected skipper Keith Wood returns after pulling out of the game following the sudden death of his older brother.

Eric Miller also gets a recall after he pulled out with a rib injury.

Ulster hooker Paul Shields steps aside to make way for Woods, while Leinster's Victor Costello drops out after his surprise recall in place of Miller.

London Irish winger Justin Bishop and Munster forwards Alan Quinlan and Marcus Horan have also been called up.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has been allowed to take extra players for the opening qualifying game because of the difficult travel arrangements to the Siberian border.

Problems

While it will be a tremendous boost for the Ulster youngster, it will leave quite a void for his provincial coach Alan Solomons.

It will mean that Solomons will not only be without his first-choice fly-half David Humphreys for the Celtic League clash against Neath, but also his stand-in.

Humphreys and Wallace are available for this Saturday's away clash with Swansea, but Gary Longwell has been held back because of on-going achilles tendon problems.

Wallace has been the automatic replacement for Humphreys, but now Solomons will have to look to Adam Larkin to fill the number 10 jersey.