Ward rejoins Ireland squad as Furlong nears return

Bryn Ward and Tadhg Furlong

Ulster back row Bryn Ward has rejoined the Ireland squad while prop Tadhg Furlong has resumed full training before Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy (14:10 GMT).

Three-time British and Irish Lions tight-head Furlong missed last week's defeat by France in Paris with a calf problem.

In a squad bulletin on Monday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said "a decision will be made on his availability ahead of Thursday afternoon's team announcement".

Furlong, 33, only made one appearance off the bench in last year's Six Nations because of injury.

Uncapped Ward was part of Ireland's pre-tournament training camp in Portugal before linking up with the Ireland XV panel for Friday's emphatic 52-14 loss to England A at Thomond Park.

The 21-year-old back row, the son of former Ireland flanker Andy, has impressed since breaking into the Ulster team earlier this season.

Ireland, who trained at Clongowes Wood College in Kildare on Monday, reported no fresh injury concerns after Thursday's demoralising 36-14 loss to France.

Italy, meanwhile, have recalled Toulouse wing Ange Capuozzo to their squad ahead of Saturday's trip to Dublin.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 16 tries in 31 Azzurri caps, has not played since December because of a finger injury.

However, Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada will be without Juan Ignacio Brex because of "family reasons".

The Argentine-born Toulon centre set up Louis Lynagh's try in Saturday's win over Scotland in Rome.

Quesada is also without scrum-half Martin Page-Relo, fly-half Tommaso Allan, back rowers Sebastian Negri and Ross Vintcent, hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi, prop Marco Riccioni and wing Edoardo Todaro.