Emmet Byrne is out of the Ireland squad for Saturday's Six Nations Championship game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. A damaged shoulder originally sustained while playing for Leinster against Biarritz in the European Cup but exacerbated against France at Lansdowne Road a fortnight ago has forced Byrne to withdraw.

Justin Fitzpatrick is recalled to the senior squad in place of Byrne while Reggie Corrigan will fill the vacancy in the A squad. Keith Wood picked up a knock for Harlequins in their English Cup Final defeat by Newcastle but the damage is not thought to threaten his participation at the weekend. Similarly replacement hooker Frankie Sheahan limped out of Cork Constitution's victory over Young Munster but the damage was nothing more debilitating than a dead leg.

Making it a `good' weekend for Irish hookers, if you'll pardon the expression, Ross Nesdale has withdrawn from the A squad and this prompts a recall for St Mary's College tyro Peter Smyth. Shane Horgan limped out of Lansdowne's 18-18 draw with St Mary's on Saturday with a twisted knee. A better prognosis on his prospects of playing the A international will be available today.