Ten of the side will be back home, the one exception being Peter Stringer who will take a break abroad.

First home will be Ronan O'Gara, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Frankie Sheahan and Donnacha O'Callaghan who will arrive in Cork Airport at 11.20 am (approx.) accompanied by Ireland assistant coach Declan Kidney.

About 15 minutes after they land, Shannon Airport will welcome the arrival of Anthony Foley, Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Paul O'Connell, and David Wallace who will have traveled in the company of forwards coach Niall O'Donovan and team manager Brian O'Brien.