Ulster's Jonathan Bell injured his right hand in the course of a training session yesterday morning and has been ruled out of Friday's match against Orrell at Ravenhill. It was initially believed that Bell might have sustained a break but a subsequent x-ray showed that the hand was just badly bruised and he is expected to be available for selection for the game against Italy in Thomond Park on Saturday week (Aug 30th).

Meanwhile, Rotherham have confirmed that neither of their two new Irish signings, Guy Easterby or Peter Smyth will be involved in the game against Munster on Friday evening. Rotherham will be captained by Jacob Rauluni and include in their side, Peter Jorgensen, Geraint Lewis, Christian Loader and Jason Strange.

Ireland Squad (v Italy.) Forwards (12): Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Victor Costello (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Castres), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Eric Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Paul Shields (Ulster/allymena).

Backs (10): Jonathan Bell (Ulster/Dungannon), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Rotherham), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St.Mary's College), Rob Henderson (Munster/ Garryowen), John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College), Brian O'Meara (Leinster/Cork Constitution), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon).