O'Driscoll form choice for Ireland

MICK O'DRISCOLL will make his fourth appearance for Ireland and his first Six Nations start against Wales at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

That is provided coach Eddie O'Sullivan sticks to his stated policy of picking players in form.

Paul O'Connell's withdrawal last night because of a shoulder injury has cleared the way for several permutations in the second-row.

Malcolm O'Kelly, replaced early in the second half of both the Italian and French games, could pay the penalty, with Donncha O'Callaghan the likely replacement while O'Driscoll's tremendous form could gain him selection.

O'Driscoll, 27, demonstrated again last Saturday that he is in the form of his life with a thundering display as an otherwise lifeless Munster side were beaten by Glasgow Warriors side in the Celtic League. Ulster's Matt McCullough is also in the running for a call-up but he got his chance in the autumn internationals and looked a long way off the required standard.

Meanwhile, Saracens hooker Shane Byrne has been added to the Ireland squad as precautionary cover for Jerry Flannery who suffered an ankle strain in training. A decision on Flannery's availability will be made later in the week.

Ireland injury concerns pale compared to their opponents.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas will miss the rest of the competition after suffering damage to an artery in his neck.

The Toulouse star faces up to 12 weeks out, having undergone an MRI scan after going to hospital on Sunday night suffering from a severe migraine.

Number eight Michael Owen replaces Thomas as skipper against Ireland in Dublin, with Llanelli Scarlets' Lee Byrne taking over at full-back.

Thomas could conceivably be sidelined for the rest of this term, also dealing Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Toulouse a major blow.

One other enforced change from the Wales side that beat Scotland 28-18 nine days ago sees leg injury victim Shane Williams replaced on the left wing by Scarlets back Dafydd James, who wins his 44th cap.

Gavin Henson, meanwhile, is on course to make his first Wales appearance for almost a year. He is among three changes on the bench, replacing Nicky Robinson. Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas takes over from Scarlets lock Adam Jones and full-back Barry Davies takes Byrne's bench role.

Wales have not toppled Ireland at Lansdowne Road since 2000, and defeat on Sunday would effectively destroy their championship chances.

"Apart from the enforced changes we have gone for continuity in selection, which is logical when you realise that all the present coaches have been part of previous selection panels," said caretaker boss Scott Johnson.

"Tough times breed tough men, and we are taking a tough team to Dublin to play tough rugby.We are going to look squarely in the face of adversity and show a different side to our characters this weekend. We've shown that we can turn on the pretty stuff, now we are going to show our true heart, make fans proud of us and proud to be Welsh and come out fighting."

Meanwhile, Mike Ruddock, whose shock resignation as Wales coach rocked rugby last week, met WRU directors in a two-hour Millennium Stadium session last night.

But he emerged to reveal little about what went on behind closed doors, which will disappoint Welsh fans who have supported him to the hilt since his sudden exit.

The meeting was called at Ruddock's request, and it saw him address the 17 board members, yet he was only prepared to read a statement afterwards, taking no questions from assembled media in the company of his solicitor Tim Jones.

Said Ruddock: "I have explained my position and given my personal views in my own words, which I hope has been useful to the board and avoids further unnecessary speculation or any false impressions, which could undermine my personal position or that of the board. It is now a matter for the Welsh Rugby Union board to consult with the districts and the constituent clubs of the WRU and decide on their next steps."