Neck problems leave Wood with doubts over Dublin date

Keith Wood is a fine rugby player – one of the outstanding forwards in the world, without a doubt – but sometimes you have to wonder about him.

Having travelled for 20-odd hours through seven time zones to play injured in a World Cup qualifier against Russia in the wild wastes of Siberia last weekend, Ireland's celebrated hooker and captain is now wondering whether to play safe and sit out this weekend's second and final match in the series, against Georgia in, er, Dublin. Talk about getting things the wrong way around.

Wood is suffering from neck problems and played in some discomfort in Krasnoyarsk last Saturday – discomfort that was made a whole lot worse when one of the Russian forwards speared him into the unforgiving Siberian soil.

"My neck was pretty sore on the way out, and pretty sore coming back," Wood said yesterday. "I'm hoping the trouble will settle down by Thursday, but it's a 50-50 shout. If I'm able to function fully, I'll play. If not, I won't."

Georgia, who possess a number of forwards with French championship experience, are generally considered a more serious proposition than Russia, and are favourites to qualify for next year's global tournament as of right by beating their neighbours in Tbilisi on 13 October. However, Ireland should see them off easily enough at Lansdowne Road, with or without Wood. Whatever decision the captain reaches, they will be close to full strength everywhere else.

Eddie O'Sullivan, the national coach, has named a side unchanged from the one that shared in the pioneering Russian adventure. Apart from Wood, who will be replaced by Leinster's Shane Byrne if necessary, only Ronan O'Gara, the Munster outside-half, is giving cause for concern. The front-line goal-kicker has a knee injury and took no part in yesterday's training session.

For their part, Georgia will be without one of their more experienced forwards, the flanker Guia Labadze, who cracked a cheekbone while playing a club game for Toulon at the weekend.

Ireland have mixed it with the rugby-obsessed Georgians once before, in Dublin four years ago: they won by 70 clear points that day and five of the current squad – the full-back Girvan Dempsey, the midfielders Kevin Maggs and David Humphreys, the prop Paul Wallace and the lock Malcolm O'Kelly – participated.

Assuming they win again this time (there will be be a steward's inquiry if they fail) the Irish will take their long-expected place alongside Australia, Argentina and a couple of yet-to-be identified minnows in Pool A of the tournament proper.

Cardiff, thrown kicking and screaming into one of the more difficult groups in this season's Heineken Cup, have been forced to omit two prize forwards, the Welsh international prop Spencer John and the talented back-row recruit from Bristol, Jim Brownrigg, from their pool stage squad.

John has a neck injury – worrying for any player, but particularly for a front-rower – while Brownrigg has shoulder problems. The latter was hopeful of making the cut, but is not expected to resume contact training until November. Both will come into contention after Christmas, if Cardiff survive a round-robin contest with Northampton, Ulster and the French champions, Biarritz.

Bath, the former Heineken champions but not in the running this time, may soon be in the happy position of erasing doubts over three international backs as they prepare for this weekend's home match with Gloucester, the Premiership leaders. Gareth Cooper and Mike Tindall both finished the worse for wear at Northampton last weekend, while Mike Catt missed the game with a hamstring injury. All are on the mend, however, and should play.