Court could replace injured Buckley

RUGBY:AN OPENLY-contrite Ireland team sought patience more than forgiveness yesterday in their Dublin team hotel. As hooker Rory Best admitted, the Ireland lineout "wasn't even up to Magners League, never mind international level", coach Alan Gaffney conceded: "We were depressed ourselves, so I can imagine how other people feel."

Then team manager Paul McNaughton announced that five players would be coming back into the squad as two leave injured, while another is receiving treatment for a back injury.

There were two injuries of note. Tighthead prop Tony Buckley damaged his hip flexor and left the stadium on crutches after the match, while Rob Kearney suffered a knee contusion.

Buckley is doubtful for the rest of the series and Kearney a doubt for this week’s match against the Samoans but both will probably be fit for next week.

Connacht’s Gavin Duffy has a back problem and won’t take part in training this week, while his provincial captain and backrow John Muldoon has been released to play with Connacht tonight against Samoa.

Leinster scrumhalf Isaac Boss, prop Mike Ross, back Fergus McFadden, backrow Chris Henry and frontrow Damian Varley have all been invited into the squad.

Geordan Murphy was another name mentioned but the Leicester fullback will be playing for his club against Australia tonight and is unlikely to be involved with Ireland on Saturday, although his situation will be reviewed for the final two games in the series.

Those players may well come into the squad with renewed hope, given the collective malaise expressed.

Gaffney did colour everything he said with the broad stroke of “disappointment” but expressed a conviction to keep the faith in a mobile, recycling game, although he conceded Ireland never went beyond three phases, with South Africa getting up to 12.

He also said outhalf Jonathan Sexton passed the ball only seven times in the first half on Saturday but that all of Ireland’s 12 lineouts were in South Africa’s half of the pitch.

McNaughton said the team were not unduly worried and he also suggested Tom Court may start for Buckley and not John Hayes.

“There’s every chance Tom could start, he can play both sides and we’re looking at those combinations,” said McNaughton.

“All the coaches thought he did well in the last 30 minutes. He’s definitely in contention.”