A squad of 35 players was due to take part in the get-together in Dublin from January 1-4 but the Irish rugby management decided to call it off to allow players sufficent recovery time following a full Christmas schedule in the Celtic League.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: ''This camp has always been part of the season schedule and has been planned since September, but after weighing up the schedule that the players have over the Christmas period and New Year, we have decided to cancel the early January training camp.

''The majority of the players in the 35 man squad are still heavily involved in trying to qualify for the latter stages of the European competitions, so on balance it was felt that the players would be best served by resting during this time and to allow them to prepare fully with their Provinces and clubs,'' he added.