Kidney calls up half a dozen
Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney called up a number of players to the squad training at Carton House following a spate of injuries and knocks in the RaboDirect Pro12 league far over the weekend.
Gordon D’Arcy took a knock to his ribs and was unable to train. His place was taken by uncapped Munster centre James Downey. Ronan O’Gara has a dead leg so another uncapped player, Leinster outhalf Ian Madigan joins the squad.
Ulster scrumhalf Paul Marshall deputises for Eoin Reddan who was unable to play at the weekend due to a leg injury. Connacht prop Ronan Loughney attended in place of Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster), who is continuing rehab on a knee injury in Ulster.
Connacht secondrow Mike McCarthy picked up a calf knock and is replaced by Leinster’s Devin Toner. The final change sees Ulster wing Craig Gilroy replace Simon Zebo after the latter turned an ankle.
Meanwhile the Leinster squad trained in UCD today ahead of Friday night’s interprovincial derby against Connacht in the Sportsground (8.0).
A statement read: “Gordon D’Arcy experienced discomfort after sustaining a blow to the ribs during the first half of Saturday evening’s win over Edinburgh but the Ireland centre should be fit to play on Friday night in Galway.
Eoin Reddan (minor quad strain) was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s line up and he too will be monitored by the medical team this week. Shane Jennings (illness) and Jonathan Sexton (forearm) were both replaced as precautions, but the St. Mary’s College duo are expected to be available ahead of Thursday’s team announcement.
Jamie Heaslip’s next game will mark the Naas number eight’s 150th Leinster appearance.
