Maggs returns for Ireland

Kevin Maggs has returned to the international fold for Ireland's Test against Romania after recovering from a broken arm.

The Bath centre picked up the injury in March and missed the closing months of the domestic season and Ireland's summer Test tour of New Zealand.

Maggs returns to Eddie O'Sullivan's squad along with Lions centre Rob Henderson to bolster the Ireland midfield.

Henderson also missed the two-Test tour after being dogged by injuries to his knee and ankle for much of last season.

Ireland face Russia and Georgia in World Cup qualifiers inside the next month and O'Sullivan has called upon a strong 22-man squad in preparation for winning a place in the 2003 tournament in Australia.

Eric Miller did make the tour to New Zealand but returns to the squad after missing the second Test against the All Blacks through injury.

The return of the Leinster back-rower will make up for the absence of flanker David Wallace, one of five players out injured.

Also unavailable for selection were Wallace's Munster team-mates Paul O'Connell and Anthony Horgan, Leicester wing Geordan Murphy and Leinster's Shane Horgan.

The starting XV will be announced on September 3, four days before the clash at Thomond Park.

Ireland's 22-man squad to play Romania on Saturday, September 7 is:

Backs: G Dempsey (Leinster), J Kelly (Munster), D Hickie (Leinster), K Maggs (Bath), R Henderson (Munster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), G Easterby (Llanelli).

Forwards: R Corrigan (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), P Wallace (Leinster), K Wood (Harlequins), S Byrne (Leinster), G Longwell (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), L Cullen (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), A Foley (Munster), E Miller (Leinster), K Gleeson (Leinster).