FLANK forward Eddie Halvey is out of the Irish XV to meet Leinster at Donnybrook next Sunday evening because of a damaged hamstring he sustained while playing for Munster against the Irish XV at Thomond Park lash Sunday.
Halvey left the field after 51 minutes of that match and will be replaced by former Old Wesley forward Eric Miller who is now with Leicester.
Miller, who is only 20 years old, is not a member of the Ireland squad but is currently holding down a place on the Leicester team in the Courage,, League in England. He played for Ireland at schools level and last season played for Leinster against Griqualand West, New South Wales and Connacht in the Interprovincial Championship.
He was subsequently chosen for the Ireland A team that beat Scotland 26-19 and was a member of the Ireland under 21 team that won the Triple Crown. He is still eligible for the under 21 team.
"The match on Sunday will give us a good opportunity to see Eric Miller whose form with Leicester has been good," said Ireland manager Pat Whelan.
The injury is yet another setback for Halvey, who missed much of last season because of a troublesome stomach groin muscle injury he sustained playing for Munster against Swansea in the European Cup.
He joined Saracens from Shannon during the course of last season and, after regaining fitness, was chosen for Ireland in the Peace International against the Barbarians in May. But he lasted only a few minutes before suffering a hand injury and had to be replaced. He rejoined Shannon at the start of the season.
There is also some doubt about the fitness of Irish XV full back Dominic Crotty and prop Paul Wallace. Crolly got a knock playing for Munster last Sunday and Wallace injured shoulder playing for his club Saracens.
Leinster second row Steve Jameson injured a rib in for Leinster against the Italian Zebras last Friday night. He is now rated doubtful for the match on Sunday.
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