Kieran Campbell, the Ireland A scrumhalf, is to quit London Irish at the end of the season to join Ulster. The 21-year-old Campbell, who has made 65 appearances for the club over the past four seasons, is the latest Irish international to commit himself to the provinces.

New London Irish coach Brendan Venter, who said Campbell would leave with the club's best wishes, is now hoping to restore the Exiles' historic relationship with the IRFU.

"With the demise of the Irish Exiles there is an opportunity for this club to become the fifth province," said Venter. "If it is possible for London Irish to achieve that status, then players won't be under pressure to return and the IRFU will have the benefit of selecting from five rather than four professional squads."

Meanwhile, the Irish management will announce the Rest of Ireland selection for the Good Friday match with Munster in Limerick tomorrow and depending on the availability of overseas-based players, it will be the strongest selection available.

The match doubles up as a European Cup warm-up and a Lions trial of sorts for some of Ireland's fringe contenders for a place in the 37-man squad to tour Australia this summer.

Accordingly, players like Jeremy Davidson, Eric Miller, Kieron Dawson, Rob Henderson, Denis Hickie and Tyrone Howe seem sure to be given a start at Thomond Park. However, in the case of Dawson, Henderson and others such as Keith Wood this is dependent upon release from the clubs.

If Henderson is made available by Wasps then the Rest of Ireland backline could be the first-choice Irish backline from the win over France, featuring Girvan Dempsey at full-back behind a threequarter line of Howe, Henderson, Brian O'Driscoll and Hickie, outside a half-back combination of Brian O'Meara and David Humphreys.

Henderson, recovering from his rib cartilage injury, took part in yesterday's first day of the three-day Irish get-together in Limerick. In light of the postponement of Ireland's three outstanding games, this was more technical than full-scale contact and focused mostly on brushing up on how to deal with the new tackle laws.

The only absentees were David Humphreys (stomach bug), Kevin Maggs (head injury) and Mick Galwey (leg infection) while Ronan O'Gara (bruised hip) and Anthony Foley (strained medial ligament) took a limited part. However, Galwey may play for Shannon against Blackrock tomorrow evening, as might John Hayes, who took a full part in yesterday's session. Paul Burke, John Kelly and Bob Casey were added to the original squad of 30.

Ian McGeechan does not believe Irish players will be disadvantaged when Graham Henry selects the Lions squad.

"Watching people play internationals is not all-important. There were some players who went on the 1997 Lions tour who were not playing international rugby at all. You watch them in a different environment," said McGeechan.

"If you like what you see and all the background information is correct it doesn't hinder your selection; it helps it."

WALES (v Italy, Rome, Sunday): R Williams (Cardiff); G Thomas (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), S Gibbs (Swansea), D James (Llanelli); N Jenkins (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff); D Morris (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Young (Cardiff) capt, I Gough (Newport), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), M Williams (Cardiff), S Quinnell (Llanelli). Replacements: A Lewis (Cardiff), C Anthony (Swansea), C Quinnell (Cardiff), G Lewis (Swansea), G Cooper (Bath), S Jones (Llanelli), A Bateman (Northampton).