O’Gara set to return against Scotland

RONAN O’GARA is likely to make his international comeback after being included in the 22-man squad from which the Ireland team to play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday will be chosen.

However, the next week could be sweaty, if not traumatic, for colleague John Kelly who damaged ribs in the dying moments of Saturday's big win over Italy at Thomond Park.

O'Gara was ruled out of Ireland's 35-12 win over Wales on August 16 and Saturday's eight-try 61-6 runaway victory against Italy.

Subject to one final medical examination, O'Gara will be declared fit having undergone surgery on a thumb/wrist injury.

His last Irish appearance was in the 40-14 win over Samoa on June 14, the concluding game of Ireland's summer tour.

Also included in the squad for Scotland is Victor Costello. X-rays have shown that he dislocated, not fractured, a little finger against Italy.

However, John Kelly is out, after he sustained a rib cartilage injury, the extent of which will be clarified early next week.

Ireland come closer to a first choice line-up with this squad.

The recall of Keith Wood, Malcolm O'Kelly, Peter Stringer, Kevin Maggs and Paul O'Connell appears to confirm that, even though coach Eddie O'Sullivan is giving big opportunity to Anthony Horgan, David Wallace and possibly even Simon Best to stake claims to places in the 30-man World Cup squad.

Medical reports are still awaited on John Hayes and Shane Horgan, both of whom were, along with the unfortunate Kelly, not considered.

Ireland squad from which the team to play Scotland will be chosen:

Backs: G. Dempsey (Leinster-Terenure), G. Murphy (Leicester), D. Hickie (Leinster St. Mary's), A. Horgan (Munster Cork Constitution), B. O'Driscoll (Leinster-Blackrock), K. Maggs (Bath), R. O'Gara (Munster-Cork Constitution), D. Humphreys (Ulster Dungannon), P. Stringer (Munster- Shannon), G. Easterby (Rotherham).

Forwards: S Best (Ulster Belfast Harlequins), K. Wood (Munster), S Byrne (Leinster Blackrock College), R Corrigan (Leinster Greystones), M. Horan (Munster- Shannon), P. O'Connell (Munster- Young Munster), M. O'Kelly (Leinster St. Mary's), S. Easterby (Llanelli), V Costello (Leinster St. Mary's College), K Dawson (London Irish), E Miller (Leinster Terenure College), D Wallace (Munster Garryowen).

Additional players required for training: J Bell (Ulster-Dungannon), E Byrne (Leinster St. Mary's College), G D'Arcy (Leinster-Lansdowne), A Foley (Munster-Shannon), T Howe (Ulster-Dungannon), R Henderson (Munster-Garryowen), D O'Callaghan (Munster-Cork Constitution), A Quinlan (Munster-Shannon)

Not considered because of injury: J Hayes (Munster-Shannon), S. Horgan (Leinster-Lansdowne), J. Kelly (Munster-Cork Constitution).