Justin Bishop celebrated his call-up to the Ireland A team with a late cameo appearance - he was a second half replacement - during London Irish's English Cup match against London Welsh. Bishop hasn't seen too much action of late so should relish an opportunity to square up against South Africa A at Thomond Park on Wednesday night. Bishop, it may be recalled scored a famous try against the Springboks in the first test match on Ireland's summer tour of 1998. Conor O'Shea also lined out for London Irish but there was no place for Kieron Campbell or Kieron Dawson, the latter on international duty, of course.

Niall Woods is shortly going to add his name to the debate about Ireland's first choice full-back. He continued his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury with a brace of tries in Harlequins' Cup victory. Woods decision to move to the Stoop from London Irish because he wanted to play full-back now appears prescient indeed.