Six Nations: Wood facing team omission

Keith Wood is losing his fitness fight for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Harlequins team manager Mike Scott says it is "unlikely" that Wood will line up for Quins when they tackle Premiership opponents Northampton on Saturday.

The Lions hooker hasn't played since suffering a calf muscle injury during Quins' Powergen Cup victory at Sale on December 15.

His planned comeback was postponed last weekend and now it appears to be on hold once again, effectively ruling him out of the Wales game.

"If Keith plays on Saturday, then we will be able to consider him," said Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan. "If he doesn't, then it is unlikely we will consider him.

"He won't have played any games for six weeks, and his target was to have played in the cup match for Harlequins against Leicester last Saturday."