Ireland have drafted Paul Burke into their senior squad as doubts emerged about the fitness of Ronan O'Gara for Sunday's Six Nations opener against Scotland.
O'Gara has not trained with the national squad due to an ankle injury he suffered when he was stamped on by Neath's Brett Sinkinson during the Celtic League final 10 days ago.
The Welsh flanker was handed a six-match ban for the incident by the Welsh Rugby Union.
O'Gara sat out training once again yesterday and with his team to start at Murrayfield being announced tomorrow afternoon, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has called on Harlequins fly-half Burke as precautionary cover.
If O'Gara is not fit to start against the Scots, David Humphreys will start at number 10 with Burke moving onto the bench.