Uncapped duo Shane Horgan and John Hayes were the unlucky men on Thursday when Ireland whittled their squad down to 23 ahead of their opening Six Nations match against England next week.

Lansdowne centre Horgan and Hayes, a prop from the Shannon club, drop down to the Ireland A XV to play England A at Northampton on February 4. The senior team meet England at Twickenham the following day.

Ireland this week named hooker Keith Wood to captain the team in place of Dion O'Cuinneagain. Wood has been skipper on nine previous occasions but has been on the losing side each time. O'Cuinneagain is fighting to overcome a shoulder injury but Wood has been given the job on a permanent basis.

Ireland plan to announce their starting line-up for the England game next Tuesday.

Flyhalf Ronan O'Gara, a success this season in provincial side Munster's progress to the European Cup quarter-finals, has overcome a knee injury and is available for selection.

The uncapped O'Gara is pushing hard for a call-up ahead of David Humphreys.

Backs:
Conor O'Shea (London Irish), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College), Justin Bishop (London Irish), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Mike Mullins (Young Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Blackrock College), David Humphreys (Dungannon), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution), Peter Stringer (Shannon), Tom Tierney (Garryowen).

Forwards:
Peter Clohessy (Young Munster), Justin Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), Paul Wallace (Saracens), Keith Wood (Garryowen), Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution), Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's College), Robert Casey (Blackrock College), Jeremy Davidson (Castres), Mick Galwey (Shannon), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Trevor Brennan (St Mary's College), Anthony Foley (Shannon), Dion O'Cuinneagain (Ballymena).