Munster's Rob Henderson has been called into the Ireland senior squad after Shane Horgan was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Henderson marked his return to the international arena when he scored two tries in the A international against Scotland last Saturday night in Stirling. Ronan O'Gara is also included after his ankle injury forced him to withdraw ahead of the Murrayfield match.

John Kelly will also be training with the senior squad. He was called up by manager Brian O'Brien as cover for Girvan Dempsey who has a slight groin strain.

The Ireland Squad of 22 from which the team to play Italy in the RBS Six Nations in Rome on Saturday, February 22nd at 2.30 p.m. is:

Forwards:

Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Backs:

Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), Rob Henderson (Munster / Young Munster), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O’Driscoll capt (Leinster/Blackrock College), Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon). John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Players not considered due to injury:

Jonathan Bell (Ulster/Dungannon){Shoulder}, Emmet Byrne (Leinster/St. Mary’s College) {Calf}, Justin Bishop (London Irish) {Finger}, Shane Horgan (Leinster / Lansdowne), hamstring}, Tyrone Howe (Ulster/Dungannon) {Hamstring}, Paul O’Connell (Munster/Young Munster) {Thumb}, David Wallace (Munster/Garryowen) {Shoulder}, Paul Wallace (Lenister/Blackrock College) {Shoulder}, Keith Wood (Harlequins) {Shoulder}.