Both Ronan O'Gara and Jeremy Davidson have been forced to withdraw from the 23 man squad from which the Ireland team to play England will be announced at lunchtime tomorrow. Davidson is ruled out because of an aggravated elbow injury and O'Gara has been forced to withdraw because of a knee complaint. No replacement will be called in for Davidson while Eric Elwood who was selected to play on the 'A' team against England has replaced O'Gara in the senior squad. Meanwhile Dominic Crotty replaces Peter McKenna at full-back on the 'A' team while Paul Burke and Rob Henderson have been added to the replacements.
O'Gara, the out half who has played such a big part in Munster's European Cup progress this season, has a knee ligament injury, but was tipped to take over at out-half from David Humphreys. O'Gara's absence now almost ensures a starting place for Humphreys.
Meanwhile, the Welsh side to play France at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday has been announced and there are no real surprises. Jason Jones-Hughes is set to make his championship debut and Pontypridd's Ian Gough takes over from injured Cardiff lock Craig Quinnell. The Sydney-born Australian, Jones-Highes, who qualifies for Wales courtesy of his Welsh father, replaces the injured Scott Gibbs as one of only two changes from the side beaten by Australia in last October's World Cup quarter-final.
In other news, legendary Scottish centre Scott Hastings is to retire at the end of the season. The 35-year-old former international, capped 66 times by his country, scored his 103rd try for Watsonians in their defeat by Currie at the weekend. However, after an illustrious career Hastings is now planning to concentrate on his role as director of rugby with the BT Premiership outfit.
