David Humphreys and David Wallace, Ireland's main injury concerns, are likely to be named in the starting team at around lunchtime today for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road.
Although yesterday was another rest day, and none of the walking wounded were examined as such, the Irish manager Brian O'Brien confirmed that "Humphreys looks like he's okay" while Wallace "is also improving although he hasn't actually been tested today."
Wallace is still troubled by a shoulder injury while Humphreys is receiving treatment for the ankle injury he sustained against England, and which was aggravated in Ulster's win over Stade Francais. Nonetheless, both players will probably be included in the team pending further treatment and tests during the week.
Indeed, it is expected that the Irish management will probably give a vote of confidence to the starting XV which beat England a month ago, which would mean recalls for Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Humphreys, Peter Clohessy, Keith Wood, Malcolm O'Kelly and Wallace.
Wood has had the distinction of being honoured as the Player of the Year at the inaugural International Rugby Awards ceremony at the Mayfair Theatre in London on Sunday night. The award, sponsored by Heineken, was presented to the Irish captain by Steve Redgrave.
In all there were 15 awards at the ceremony, which was hosted by the International Rugby Board as opposed to the inaugural Players' awards of a week before. Australia, not unexpectedly, were chosen as the Team of the Year while Rod Macqueen was named the International Coach of the Year. Gavin Henson of Wales won the Young Player of the Year award while Tom Kiernan received the IRB's Distinguished Service Award.
The panel of 10 judges were all former players drawn from five continents, namely: Gerald Davies (chairman), Paul Ackford, Sean Fitzpatrick, Simon Poidevin, Hugo Porta, Gareth Rees, Philippe Sella, Fergus Slattery, David Sole and Chester Williams.
Meanwhile, the IRFU have confirmed their decision to postpone Friday week's rescheduled interprovincial tie between Munster and Leinster at Musgrave Park, to a later, unspecified date.
This was borne out of a concern for the welfare of the overworked contracted players and will certainly be welcomed by the sizeable Irish international contingent in the two provincial camps, who would prefer a week's rest after the All Blacks. This is the ninth successive week of either international or European Cup rugby.
Scott Quinnell last night emerged as clear favourite to become the new Wales captain after David Young announced his immediate retirement from international rugby.
Young quit in the aftermath of Saturday's 30-16 Millennium Stadium defeat by Argentina. And his fellow Lion Quinnell, capped 44 times, is now expected to take the leadership reins for the game against Tonga in Cardiff next weekend.
