RUGBY: The Irish squad was replenished yesterday by the return of several players based in Britain who were unavailable for the first week of the two-week get-together in Limerick. However, Paul Burke was unable to attend because of a dislocated finger. Gerry Thornley reports

Keith Gleeson, forced to remain in Dublin last week because of a bruised knee, has also rejoined the squad, which now numbers 37. So, too, did Brian O'Driscoll, though he was unable to train yesterday due to his ankle injury.

Nonetheless, this seems primarily a precautionary move, which is not expected to rule him out of Leinster's opening defence of their Celtic League crown at home to Pontypridd on Friday week, much less the opening international of the season against Romania on September 7th in Thomond Park.

For this reason Mike Mullins has been kept in the training camp, as has the other late call-up Brian O'Meara due to Neil Doak's continuing absence.

Meanwhile, though it may have increasingly less relevance in match time, a number of players have made some interesting moves between clubs.

One of the most notable sees Clontarf underline their desire to remain a power in the First Division of the AIB League after their progress to the semi-finals last year. Witness the acquisition of Leinster out-half Andy Dunne from Old Belvedere.

Gareth Rossi has also joined from Old Belvedere while hooker Bernard Jackman and lock Colm Power have rejoined from Sale and Young Munster.

It is also helpful to Clontarf that Ben Gissing and Donal Sheahan are gaining some full-time experience with Leinster currently, though it's perhaps a mixed blessing that scrumhalf Mike Walls and prop Warren O'Kelly have earned full-time contracts with Connacht and Munster.

Meanwhile, Peter McKenna returns to Anglesea Road from St Mary's with Simon Keogh heading in the opposite direction.

New Leinster signings Chris Warner and Matthew Leek have been assigned to Terenure and Lansdowne, respectively.