Andy Farrell will operate a hotline to his medics for the next fortnight after naming his squad for the Autumn series.
The Ireland boss announced a 37-man squad today for the November internationals and, with Johnny Sexton again named as captain, Farrell is gambling on a number of frontliners returning to full fitness despite injury lay-offs.
A number of those included are unlikely to be available for the clash with South Africa on November 5.
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For now Iain Henderson, who had knee and hand surgery in the summer, and James Lowe are the marquee names to miss out - along with the suspended Bundee Aki.
Leinster trio Rónan Kelleher, Will Connors and Harry Byrne were ruled out at the start of the week.
Ciarán Frawley makes the squad as back-up to Sexton and Joey Carbery at out-half after his displays against the Maori All Blacks in July.
Otherwise the headline inclusions are wingers Jacob Stockdale - making his return after injury and a last Ireland appearance in July 2021 - and Calvin Nash, one of six uncapped players included but the only one who has previously had no involvement under Farrell.
The head coach was still working out his options on Tuesday as Munster awaited scans on Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey (both groin).
Both are included here, as is first-choice scrum half Jamison Gibson Park, who has yet to play this season for Leinster due to a hamstring injury.
Second rows James Ryan (knee) and Kieran Treadwell (chest), plus world-class flanker Josh van der Flier (ankle) and his Leinster colleague Ryan Baird (head) get the nod despite their fitness issues.
In addition, regular full-back Hugo Keenan is included despite not having played yet this season as he rehabs an abdominal injury.
In terms of back three options, it is a blow that Lowe, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway and Jordan Larmour are already out of the Springboks clash, with Tests against Fiji (November 12) and Australia (November 19) to follow.
Into the void comes Ulster's Stockdale and Munster flyer Nash, but both are also on the treatment table as they nurse ankle injuries.
Limerick's Nash, meanwhile, gets his chance thanks to his form for his province and on the Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa.
The 25-year-old is one of four players from that tour to make the cut along with Joe McCarthy, Cian Prendergast and Rob Baloucoune.
Several more, including Munster no 10 Jack Crowley and his provincial team-mate Tom Ahern, are among the 12 players named for the Ireland A set-up that faces an All Blacks XV at the RDS on the eve of the Springboks game.
Veteran props Marty Moore and Dave Kilcoyne will get their chance to stake their claim on a Test recall.
Also included is centre James Hume, who is also yet to play this season and misses out on a place in the Test squad to his Ulster colleague Stuart McCloskey.
Backs: Baloucoune, Carbery, Casey. Frawley, Gibson-Park, Hansen, Henshaw, Keenan, Lowry, Murray, McCloskey, Nash, O'Brien, Ringrose, Sexton (capt), Stockdale.
Forwards: Bealham, Beirne, Conan, Coombes, Doris, Furlong, Heffernan, Healy, Herring, Loughman, J McCarthy, O'Mahony, O'Toole, Porter, Prendergast, Ryan, Sheehan, Timoney, Treadwell, van der Flier.
Ireland 'A' panel: Ahern, Barron, Blade, Crowley, Daly, Deegan, Hume, Kilcoyne, Moore, Osbourne, Penny, Salanoa.
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