IRISH COACH, Eddie O'Sullivan, is still uncertain if he can call on his two first-choice fullbacks, Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey for Ireland's game against Wales in Croke Park on Saturday.

To call the situation a crisis at this stage may be to over emphasise the severity of the injuries but as Murphy sat out yesterday's training session at Belfield and Dempsey took only a limited part just five days before the Six Nations clash, there is sure to be anxiety in the Irish camp that O'Sullivan may have to look elsewhere for his number 15.

A statement released yesterday by the Irish management said that both players would continued to be monitored.

"Girvan Dempsey took limited part in training today with the Irish squad, which included a rehabilitation session on his injured hip," said the statement. "His injury will be monitored over the next 24 hours to determine his level of participation in training on Tuesday.

"Geordan Murphy did not train but also underwent treatment and a rehabilitation session on his Achilles injury. He will also be monitored closely over the next 24 hours to see what level of training he will be involved in tomorrow. At this point both players are in contention for selection in the Irish team against Wales."

If neither player is available for selection O'Sullivan will most likely have to introduce a player who is unfamiliar with the fullback position at international level. Rob Kearney has played fullback and Gavin Duffy and Luke Fitzgerald played there for Connacht and Leinster respectively last Friday.