Luke Fitzgerald has been omitted from Ireland's 24-man senior squad for the Six Nations.
Fitzgerald, a big-name absentee from last year's World Cup, has instead been included in the second-string Wolfhounds squad to face England Saxons on January 28.
The Leinster wing has been rejuvenated since his failure to win a spot among the 30 that departed for New Zealand and had been viewed as a contender to replace Brian O'Driscoll at centre.
A combination of a glute problem and minor neck strain forced him to sit out the Heineken Cup victory at Glasgow last weekend, but he is expected to be fit to face Montpellier on Saturday.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists those picked for the Wolfhounds remain in Six Nations contention, but Fitzgerald now seems unlikely to be involved in the opener against Wales on February 5.
"The Wolfhounds game gives myself and the other coaches one final chance to give games to players to see possible options before we settle on our match day 22 for the opening game," said Kidney.
"The game gives us the opportunity to have a closer look in training at some of the younger players rather than bringing in more experienced players, who are very much still in the frame for selection."
O'Driscoll will miss the entire Six Nations after undergoing shoulder surgery, with Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe or Fergus McFadden competing to deputise.
Ulster's Darren Cave, who has been in superb form and was viewed as a leading contender to replace Ireland's skipper, was yesterday ruled out for six weeks because of a foot injury.
Halfbacks Tomas O'Leary and Isaac Boss have both been confined to the Wolfhounds with Boss the only member of the World Cup squad selected for the second string.
Geordan Murphy, who also travelled to New Zealand, is absent from the 24 but earlier this month stated he was available in the event of an injury crisis.
Apart from the injured O'Driscoll and Denis Leamy, all 22 who slipped to a 22-10 quarter-final defeat by Wales last October are present among the senior squad.
They will be joined during next week's training camp in Limerick by the uncapped Ian Nagle, Peter O'Mahony, Tiernan O'Halloran, Paddy McAllister, Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo.
The 22 to face Wales at Lansdowne Road will be named on Monday week.
Alongside O'Driscoll, Leamy and Cave, David Wallace, Felix Jones, Jerry Flannery, Eoin Griffen and Niall Ronan were not considered due to injury.
Kidney is looking forward to making a fresh start four months after a World Cup campaign that had promised so much was brought to an abrupt conclusion by Wales.
"It's a new tournament for us and for everybody involved so irrespective of the highs and lows of the World Cup it's a fresh and exciting challenge," said Kidney.
"The tournament begins what is big year for us, with a three-Test tour to New Zealand to come in June and ranking points all important for the 2015 World Cup.
"But for all that, the Six Nations always stands out as high point."