Byrne wins recall to Ireland training squad

Ireland prop Emmet Byrne has been included in Eddie O'Sullivan's 35-man Ireland training squad for the get-together on Wednesday…

Ireland prop Emmet Byrne has been included in Eddie O'Sullivan's 35-man Ireland training squad for the get-together on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Byrne has not featured for Ireland since November 2001 having suffered a string of debilitating injuries. However, the Leinster and St Mary's man is now nearing full-fitness once again and has been called into a squad where, despite the excellent performance of Marcus Horan against France, front-row cover is regarded as threadbare.

Ireland also welcome Paul O'Connell back into the fold. The Munster lock has been absent this season after first undergoing back surgery during the summer and then breaking his thumb soon after his return to Munster colours.

But the second row has completed his recovery and joins Byrne in the two-day training camp.

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Girvan Dempsey and Shane Horgan, who both missed the France game through injury, are also included in the squad, as is Gary Longwell. The big second-row limped off in the first-half at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and faces a race against time to be fit for the trip to Cardiff in a fortnight's time.

Ireland play Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 22nd ahead of the visit of England to Lansdowne Road eight days later.

The Ireland management will name a 22-man squad for the match next Friday and their team for Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Ireland

Backs: Guy Easterby (Llanelli/Wal), Peter Stringer (Munster), Paul Burke (Harlequins/Eng), David Humphreys (Ulster), Ronan OGara (Munster), Rob Henderson (Munster), Kevin Maggs (Bath/Eng), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Jeremy Staunton (Munster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Justin Bishop (London Irish/Eng), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Tyrone Howe (Ulster), John Kelly (Munster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Eng)

Forwards: Simon Best (Ulster), Emmet Byrne (Leinster) Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster), John Hayes (Munster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Byrne (Leinster), Frank Sheahan (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Gary Longwell (Ulster), Donnacha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), Victor Costello, (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli/Wal), Anthony Foley (Munster), Keith Gleeson (Leinster), Eric Miller (Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Munster).