Three doubtful for Samoan Test match

Ireland coach Warren Gatland confirmed that three players, Leinster duo Denis Hickie and Girvan Dempsey and Munster flanker David Wallace remain doubtful for next Sunday's Test match against Samoa at Lansdowne Road.

Although he announced a 25 man squad for the game it seems likely that Wallace will miss out because of a shoulder injury and one from Simon Easterby, Alan Quinlan and Keith Gleeson will be called in.

Gleeson appears the natural choice to replace the openside in the squad and the Irish born Australian reared flanker could be handed an early opportunity. London Irish's Kieron Dawson should start the match with Gleeson, Quinlan or Easterby called onto the bench.

Hickie withdrew from Leinster's victory over Newport, having failed a fitness test on a damaged shoulder an hour before the game.

Dempsey is resting his Achilles tendon and with the New Zealand game on Saturday week, neither player is likely to be risked unless 100 per cent fit. The Ireland squad includes Gordon D'Arcy and Jeremy Staunton both of whom can play at full back.