Tom Court is set to start at loosehad prop for Ulster on Friday night against Zebre at Ravenhill and then travel to Dublin on Sunday to join up with the Irish squad.
The front row forward is almost likely to make an appearance for Ireland on the bench against Scotland on Sunday, February 24 after Cian Healy was banned for three weeks yesterday evening for stamping.
Court had surprisingly been left out of the Irish mix during the November Test series, but proved a massive point with a huge performance against Leinster in the PRO 12 when he answered many questions about the talents of new prop, Michael Bent.
However, while Court featured strongly in the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons pre Six Nations, he was still overlooked when Ireland coach, Declan Kidney selected his bench for the opening game against Wales - going with Munster David Kilcoyne.
However, now Kidney is having to send an ‘SOS’ to Court to help the Irish out in their time of need.
Kilcoyne, who was on the bench for the last two games against Wales and England, is expected to start at Murrayfield with Court among the replacements.
It had been thought Court may have been withdrawn from the Ulster team yesterday once Healy’s punishment was known after a disciplinary hearing in London yesterday.
However, the mini-two day camp is only for the players who started in the games against Wales and England with those on the bench and others who had been involved in training over the past two weeks released again to their Provinces.
Court has been unfairly criticised for his last performance in a green jersey when he came off the bench as a tighthead replacement for Mike Ross in the last season’s Six Nations.
It was a nightmare afternoon for the Irish, particularly up front, but Court was badly fingered by most of the media and many supporters - while Ross, who struggled during this time on the pitch, able to hide in the shadows of that.
Court’s performances with Ulster have been quality this season and he is also happy to pull on the green jersey once again if called upon - not just to exorcise the demons of the past and put the record straight.
The 32-year-old, who usually plays loose-head, came on as replacement at tight-head and was criticised after the scrum crumbled under English pressure in the Twickenham defeat.
“I was the only prop on the bench last year and I didn’t have enough time under my belt as a tight-head,” added Court.
I’ve been involved in all the camps, but I’d relish being involved in the squad again.
“I don’t want my last cap to be what it was 12 months ago, I don’t want my international career to end on that experience.
“To be honest, my form this year, I’d like to think I have at least earned enough credit to be recalled and be involved.”
With Court set to start at loosehead, the Irish trio returned to Ulster this week, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson and Declan Fitzpatrick are also set to open against Zebre on Friday night.
Henderson is likely to start at blindside with Henry at open and Robbie Diack at No 8.
In the backs, Luke Marshall is almost certain to start at inside centre with Darren Cave outside him. Paddy Wallace is struggling with a leg injury which will probably see him miss selection this week.
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