RUGBY/Six Nations Championship: Reggie Corrigan is a major injury concern ahead of Ireland's opening Six Nations match against Italy at the Stadio Flaminio on Sunday. The Leinster captain picked up what coach Eddie O'Sullivan described as an "old warrior" injury to his knee in training on Monday but the swelling has yet to go down.
The injury has hampered Corrigan before and very little treatment can be applied as it is damage that comes with years of playing the game.
The 33-year-old loosehead prop was yesterday given 24 hours to recover, with Marcus Horan set to be promoted from the bench and Ulster's Simon Best travelling as back-up.
The Irish squad had no training yesterday - after an early team meeting in the Citywest Hotel they were left to their own devices. The 23-man squad and management train this morning before flying to Rome at 3 p.m. today.
Meanwhile, former Italian captain Alessandro Troncon has been restored to the starting 15 after burying the hatchet with coach John Kirwan. The two fell out ahead of last autumn's Tests after Marco Bortolami was promoted to the skipper's role.
Troncon replaces Kiwi scrumhalf Paul Griffen for a record 86th cap, with Griffen struggling to even make the bench because of a hamstring injury. It will be Troncon's first Six Nations match for two seasons after missing out last year with a knee injury.
"It was important that 'Troncy' got back to enjoying his rugby again," said Kirwan. "He is a great player and he has got a lot to offer as far as leadership goes. His experience is crucial."
Luciano Orquera makes his first Six Nations start at outhalf, as does winger Ludovico Nitoglia. Kirwan will make a late decision on whether Fabio Ongaro or Giorgio Intoppa starts at hooker. The former is carrying a groin strain. Bortolami was another concern but has recovered from a bout of flu.
After missing out on the Irish senior squad, winger Tommy Bowe has been named on the Irish under-21s for a third consecutive year. Dungannon outhalf Gareth Steenson and Garryowen's Anthony Kavanagh also return from the squad that made last year's World Cup final. They play the Italian under-21s tomorrow in Udine at 2.30. There is a strong Ulster contingent with eight in the starting line-up.
ITALY: R De Marigny; M Bergamasco, G Canale, A Masi, L Nitoglia; L Orquera, A Troncon; A Lo Cicero, F Ongaro or G Intoppa, M Castrogiovanni, S Dellape, M Bortolami, A Persico, M Bergamasco, S Parisse. Replacements: S Perugini, G Intoppa or C Festuccia, C Antonio Del Fava, D Dal Maso, P Griffen or P Travagli, W Pozzebon, K Robertson.
