Rob Henderson is already looking like a doubtful starter for Ireland's opening Five Nations Championship game against Scotland at Lansdowne Road on February 7th. The 25-year-old centre has been sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury which has required an operation and is not expected to return to the Wasps team for another two or three weeks. As the Irish selectors intend picking their side to face the Scots prior to their squad session of January 28th (the squad will also come together at the ALSAA complex near Dublin Airport on January 14th), manager Pat Whelan admitted that this makes Henderson "very doubtful at this stage".

The prognosis on loose-head Nick Popplewell is a good deal more encouraging. The Newcastle player has also been sidelined for three weeks by his recurring hamstring problem, but Whelan expects him to prove his fitness well before February 7th.

"I spoke to him yesterday and he's out of this week's calculations, but he hopes to play the following weekend," said Whelan. "Simon Geoghegan has delayed his comeback match again as his leg is still a bit weak. I also spoke to Willie Anderson and all the London Irish players are well."

The Irish squad will convene in the Killiney Castle Hotel on Monday evening, February 2nd, prior to the game against the Scots.

Will Carling's future remained in doubt after a crisis meeting with Harlequins coach Andy Keast yesterday - and the former England captain may quit the sport later this week. Carling's colleagues at Harlequins have asked him to consider any decision for a couple more days. Carling said last night: "A number of options are open to me - retirement being one of them."