Ireland welcome back Wood for Russia trip

Ireland captain Keith Wood has returned to the squad to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier later this month.

Ireland captain Keith Wood has returned to the squad to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier later this month.

The Harlequins hooker pulled out of preparations for last Saturday's friendly against Romania in Limerick after the sudden death of his brother, Gordon, last week.

Other changes to the squad which beat Romania 39-8, see Munster duo Anthony Quinlan and Marcus Horan, Justin Bishop (London Irish) and Paddy Wallace (Ulster) all come in ahead of the trip to Krasnoyarsk on September 22nd.

All squad members are available to play for their clubs this coming weekend with the exception of Brian O'Driscoll (injured quadricep), Ronan O'Gara (ear laceration), Gary Longwell (Achilles' tendon), and Peter Stringer and Girvan Dempsey, who are both resting.

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Ireland squad for 2003 Rugby World Cup qualifier against Russia in Krasnoyarsk on September 22:

Backs:G Dempsey (Leinste), J Kelly (Munster), D Hickie (Leinster) K Maggs (Bath), R Henderson (Munster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), G Easterby (Llanelli), J Bishop (London Irish), P Wallace (Ulster).

Forwards:R Corrigan (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), P Wallace (Leinster), K Wood (Harlequins), S Byrne (Leinster), G Longwell (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), L Cullen (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), A Foley (Munster), E Miller (Leinster), K Gleeson (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), A Quinlan (Munster).

PA