Donncha O'Callaghan has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations clash with England in Twickenham on Saturday week.
The Munster lock is suffering from medial ligament damage in his right knee, sustained during the first half of Sunday's 36-15 victory over Wales. Subsequent scans today confirmed that he will be unavailable for the visit to the back yard of the world champions.
However the damage is not as bad as initially feared and O'Callaghan hould be fit for selection to play Itlay on March 20th in Lansdowne Road.
The squad of 22 from which the Ireland team to play England will be picked, will be announced on Friday next but O'Callaghan's place will undoubtedly be filled by the experienced former Lions and Leinster lock, Malcolm O'Kelly.
Options for bench cover would appear to be quite limited for Eddie O'Sullivan with Leo Cullen injured and the Ireland coach's past reluctance to utilise Toulouse lock Trevor Brennan.
The most likely replacement looks to be Ulster's Gary Longwell but having been dropped recently by Ulster boss Alan Solomons for the Celtic Cup Final and two meetings with Leciester in the Heineken Cup, his inclusion is far from guaranteed. He is, however, the only additonal lock to be training with the squad this week.
New Zealand born naturalised Leinster lock, Ben Gissing, may also be in the running for a call up.