Wood forced to miss training camp

IRISH coach Eddie O'Sullivan has announced a squad of 51 players to travel to Spala in Poland today to take part in a two-week training camp which will last until Sunday August 4.

Notable absentees from the squad are Keith Wood and Paul Burke of Harlequins who have not been released by their club for the training camp.

Justin Bishop of London Irish also misses out because he is getting married, while those not considered because of injury include Paul O’Connell, David Wallace and Geordan Murphy, all of whom toured New Zealand last month.

Elsewhere, there are call-ups for Connacht forwards Johnny O’Connell and Peter Bracken, while Trevor Brennan, a recent signing by Toulouse, will also travel.

Among the backs is Anthony Horgan, who missed out on the New Zealand trip because of an arm injury.

The travelling party is:

Forwards: S. Best (Ulster), P. Bracken (Connacht), T. Brennan (Toulouse), E. Byrne (Leinster), S. Byrne (Leinster), V. Costello, (Leinster), M. Cahill (Munster), B. Casey (London Irish), R. Corrigan (Leinster), L. Cullen (Leinster), K. Dawson (London Irish), S. Easterby (Llanelli), J. Fitzpatrick (Ulster), A. Foley (Munster), K. Gleeson (Leinster), J. Hayes (Munster), M. Horan (Munster), G. Longwell (Ulster), E. Miller (Leinster), D.O’Callaghan (Munster), J. O’Connor (Connacht), M. O’Driscoll (Munster), M. O’Kelly (Leinster), A. Quinlan (Munster), F. Sheahan (Munster), P. Shields (Ulster), P. Wallace (Leinster).

Backs: G. Darcy (Leinster), M. Deane (Sale), G. Dempsey (Leinster), N. Doak (Ulster), G. Duffy (Connacht), G. Easterby (Llanelli), R. Henderson (Munster), D. Hickie (Leinster), J. Holland (Munster), S. Horgan (Leinster) D. Humphreys (Ulster), A. Horgan (Munster), T. Howe (Ulster), J. Kelly (Munster), M. Mullins (Munster), B. O’Driscoll (Leinster), R. O’Gara (Munster), B. O’Meara (Leinster), J. O’Neill (Munster), B. O’Riordan (Leinster), J. Staunton (Munster), P. Stringer (Munster), P. Wallace (Ulster).

Not considered due to injury: J. Bell (Ulster, achilles), J. Davidson (Ulster, knee), K. Maggs (Bath, arm), G. Murphy (Leicester, shoulder), P. O’Connell (Munster, back), D. Wallace (Munster, shoulder).

Not considered: Justin Bishop (London Irish) (Getting married).

Not released by their club: Keith Wood (Harlequins) and Paul Burke (Harlequins).