MUNSTER PROP TONY Buckley is more than likely out of the rest of Ireland’s November Tests due to an injury picked up during Saturday’s game against South Africa.
Leinster full-back Rob Kearney also requires time out to recover from an injury but will be back in contention for a place after next Saturday’s game against Samoa.
But one of Kearney’s rivals for the 15 jersey, Gavin Duffy, is unable to train this week due to a back problem.
Buckley suffered a hip injury during Saturday’s clash with the world champion Springboks while Kearney was replaced late on, immediately after scoring a try.
Paul McNaughton, Ireland manager, speaking at a press briefing earlier said:
We have two injuries of note. Tony Buckley has a hip flexor injury and is definitely out for Saturday and doubtful for rest of the November campaign.
Rob Kearney has bad bruising on his knee. There is a strong possibility that he is out for Saturday as well, but he should be okay for the rest of the series.
McNaughton says that coach Declan Kidney has called up five additional players: Isaac Boss, Mike Ross, Fergus McFadden, Chris Henry and Damien Varley while Gavin Duffy needs rehabilitation:
Gavin Duffy is getting treatment for his back, so he won’t be in training this week.
John Muldoon has been released to get some game-time with Connacht against Samoa. That’s the update on the injury front.
Meanwhile, Munster have just named their 30-strong squad for the game against Australia in Thomond Park tomorrow week.
Of those named in the squad the only injury concern is for lock Dave Foley who has an sore ankle that will require further medical examination later this week.
Munster Squad: Mike Sherry, Sean Henry, Wian du Preez, Peter Borlase, Dave Ryan, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Ian Nagle, Brian Hayes, Billy Holland, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, Paul Warwick, Conor Murray, Declan Cusack, JJ Hanrahan, Tom Gleeson, Barry Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Ivan Dineen, Doug Howlett, Simon Zebo, Sean Scanlon,Denis Hurley, Scott Deasy
