Rugby: Ireland face anxious wait over Wallace

David Wallace is in a race against time to be fit for Ireland's big clash with New Zealand.

Wallace was forced to miss his side's 35-8 win over Samoa with a shoulder injury and is now struggling to make next week's Lansdowne Road showdown.

The Munster star is a key man in the Irish pack and coach Warren Gatland has admitted that he is concerned over Wallace's injury.

"David's injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked," said Gatland. "But he still has a few more days to recover and hopefully the shoulder will clear up in time."

The Irish side to face John Mitchell's All Blacks is due to be named on Tuesday.

London Irish's Kieran Dawson played against Samoa and is a likely replacement should Wallace not come through.

David Humphries' ankle injury is another cause for concern and Ireland are also waiting on news of injuries to No 8 Anthony Foley and back-row forward Eric Miller.

Both were substituted at half-time in the win over Samoa. Foley, who was given the honour of captaining his country, picked up a neck injury and Miller has a slight groin strain.

However, the Irish management team are hopeful both will recover sufficiently to be in contention for starting places.

The All Blacks are also expected to name their side on Tuesday.