O'Driscoll expected to be fit

Rugby: Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll is expected to be available for selection when Eddie O'Sullivan announces his team and replacements today to face Wales on Sunday in their second Six Nations match of the series.

O'Driscoll, who damaged his hamstring in Lansdowne Road playing for Leinster against Sale in the European Cup, missed Ireland's opening match against France.

Having taken part in training since Sunday, O'Driscoll has reported no adverse reaction to the injury.

The Lions centre has been involved in most aspects of the squad training throughout the week, although he has sensibly avoided the more ferocious ruck and maul work.

All of the Irish players involved in the match against France, including several who received knocks during the game, are available for selection. That allows O'Sullivan to include Shane Horgan, Tyrone Howe, Malcolm O'Kelly and John Hayes in his selection.

"Brian O'Driscoll has been with the squad since Sunday and has taken part in training in all of the sessions. The management is optimistic that he will be fit to play against Wales on Sunday," a team spokesman said yesterday.

A number of players had been brought into the Ireland training group during the week, including Munster's Rob Henderson and Ulster's Neil McMillen. It has been pointed out that their inclusion was as part of an extended training group and not as part of the Irish squad per se.

Coach Steve Hansen is not without injuries to his rejuvenated Welsh side, which overran Scotland in their opening match. Yesterday, uncapped Llanelli Scarlets full back Barry Davies was called for cover for Garan Evans and Hal Luscombe. Evans was ordered to rest a pelvic injury and Luscombe damaged his knee last Friday.

"Barry has performed well at regional level for the Scarlets this season, in fact, as so many have told me he has been a bit unlucky not to have made the team from the start," said Hansen. "I'm sure that he will fit in very easily."

Robin McBryde, Robert Sidoli, Alix Popham and Craig Morgan have all returned to full training. There are still injury concerns around hooker Gareth Williams, who was to have scan on his injured shoulder yesterday.

The Welsh team to face Ireland will be released tonight.

IRELAND UNDER-19 SQUAD (v Wales under 19): Forwards (13): Michael Diffley (Creggs), John Kerins (UCC), Paul Doran-Jones (DU), Ross Noonan (UCC), Fergus McGuckian (UCD), James Coady (DU), Michael Essex (CBC), Billy Holland (CBC), Anthony Kane (Exiles), Conor Lavery (Rainey Endowed School), John McCall (Royal School Armagh), Adrian Lightowler (Greystones), Nicholas Goodger (Exiles). Backs (10): Peter Phelan (Exiles), Cillian Willis (UCD), Cathal Power (Corinthians), Stewart Megaw (QUB), Michael English (Exiles), Conor Gildea (Terenure College), Mark Scott (Belfast Harlequins), Gary Byrne (Terenure College), Eamon Fitzgerald (Old Belvedere), Eamon Ronan (Middleton)