Ireland Squad News: Neath's Brett Sinkinson has been banned for six matches by the Welsh Rugby Union disciplinary committee following a hearing yesterday afternoon.
Sinkinson was cited by Munster following a stamping incident involving Ronan O'Gara in the Celtic League final at the Millennium Stadium on February 1st.
The flanker's suspension takes effect immediately.
Christian Califano, whose last international was back in June 2001, has been recalled to France's 22-man squad for their Six Nations Championship opener against England on February 15th.
The 30-year-old prop replaces Pieter De Villiers, who has been dropped after testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy.
France coach Bernard Laporte will delay naming his starting XV for Twickenham until Feb 11th.
Califano, a member of two French Grand Slam winning sides, dropped out of contention for international matches when he moved to New Zealand last year.
However the winner of five French titles with Toulouse returned to the Northern Hemisphere this season and has been impressive for his English Premiership club Saracens.
"When you look at the fitness tests he has accomplished and consider his form for his club, it was only logical he was recalled," Laporte said of Califano.
Califano, alongside Raphael Ibanez and Jean-Jacques Crenca, would still give France a formidable front row.
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan hinted yesterday that Andrew Mower will be given the task of replacing Budge Pountney for next week's clash with Ireland.
The 27-year-old Newcastle openside flanker has just four caps to his name, but the Australian-born player looks set to step into the boots of the former captain for the eagerly-awaited Murrayfield showdown on February 16th.
"He's playing very well at the moment which is very helpful," admitted McGeechan.
"My views are pretty well known about number sevens. It is a specialist position and you do look at certain things."
SCOTLAND (v Ireland) - Forwards: Ross Beattie (Bristol), Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow), Bruce Douglas (The Borders), Stuart Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), Nathan Hines (Edinburgh), Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Martin Leslie (Edinburgh), Andrew Mower (Newcastle Falcons), Scott Murray (Edinburgh), Steve Scott (The Borders), Tom Smith (Northampton), Simon Taylor (Edinburgh) Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Andy Craig (Orrell), Brendan Laney (Edinburgh), Kenny Logan (Wasps), Glenn Metcalfe (Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Bryan Redpath (Sale-cap), Gordon Ross (Leeds), Gregor Townsend (The Borders), Kevin Utterson (The Borders)
FRANCE - (v England) Forwards: C Califano, J Crenca, S Marconnet, R Ibanez, J Rue, D Auradou, O Brouzet, F Pelous, S Betsen, S Chabal, I Harinordoquy, O Magne. Backs: F Galthie (captain), D Yachvili, F Gelez, G Merceron, T Castaignede, V Clerc, X Garbajosa, C Poitrenaud, A Rougerie, D Traille.
