The hamstring injury picked up by Shane Horgan in the win over Scotland rules the Leinster wing out of the squad for Italy and means a recall for Rob Henderson, with Ronan O'Gara also included after his ankle injury forced him to withdraw ahead of the Murrayfield match. Girvan Dempsey has a slight groin strain and will not train tomorrow (Tuesday), with John Kelly drafted in as a precautionary measure..

The Ireland Squad of 22 from which the team to play Italy in the RBS Six Nations in Rome on Saturday, February 22nd at 2.30 p.m. is:

Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution). Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Rob Henderson (Munster / Young Munster), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O'Driscoll capt (Leinster/Blackrock College), Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon). John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Meanwhile the Ireland A Squad from which the team to play Italy (Friday, February 21st, Rovigo) has also been announced and it included ,b>jeremy Davidson who was forced to miss the Scotland game through injury.

Forwards: Simon Best (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Peter Bracken (Connacht/Galwegians), James Blaney (Munster/Shannon), Jeremy Davidson (Ulster/Dungannon), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Aidan McCullen (Leinster/Lansdowne), Eric Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster/Cork Constitution), Donnacha O'Callaghan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Paul Shields (Ulster/ Belfast Harlequins). Backs: Paul Burke (Harlequins), Bryan Cunningham (Ulster/Dungannon), Gordon Darcy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Neil Doak (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Barry Everitt (London Irish), A. N. Other, Brian O'Meara (Leinster/Cork Constitution), David Quinlan (Leinster/Blackrock College), Jeremy Staunton (Munster/Garrryowen), James Topping (Ulster/Ballymena). Players not considered due to injury: Jonathan Bell (Ulster/Dungannon){Shoulder}, Emmet Byrne (Leinster/St. Mary's College) {Calf}, Justin Bishop (London Irish) {Finger}, Shane Horgan (Leinster / Lansdowne), hamstring}, Tyrone Howe (Ulster/Dungannon) {Hamstring}, Paul O'Connell (Munster/Young Munster) {Thumb}, David Wallace (Munster/Garryowen) {Shoulder}, Paul Wallace (Lenister/Blackrock College) {Shoulder}, Keith Wood (Harlequins) {Shoulder}.