Keith Wood has withdrawn from the Irish squad from which the team to play Australia will be picked and his place in the squad will be taken by Frank Sheahan.The news of Wood's withdrawal hardly comes as any great surprise given that he hasn't played since September 21st and only resumed training this week. However, it is believed that on the request of the player himself, the Irish management agreed to give him every oportunity to make the side.

Australia arrive in Ireland on Monday next from Buenos Aires where they are at the moment for their opening tour game against the Pumas.

Ireland Squad.

Backs: Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon) vice-captain, Kevin Maggs (Bath), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College) vice-captain, Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Shane Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne), John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Paul Wallace (Leinster/Blackrock College), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon) vice-captain, Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Victor Costello (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon).