Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will be keeping his fingers crossed that fly-half Ronan O'Gara's own digits survive his comeback match in the Celtic League on Saturday.
The 27-year-old makes his return four weeks after injuring a finger bone in his right hand against Leinster, as Munster take on the Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park, only eight days before Ireland's opening 2005 RBS 6 Nations trip to face Italy.
OGara - the star of the autumn Test victories against South Africa and Argentina - trained with Eddie O'Sullivan's squad this week in Terenure and should be given the nod ahead of Ulster veteran David Humphreys in the battle for the number 10 jersey.