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Boss was training with Leinster this afternoon. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
on standby

'Half the country at the moment might be on standby' - Boss not expecting Ireland call

Boss says he can’t predict who will replace Jared Payne in the Irish squad.

LEINSTER SCRUM HALF ISAAC Boss says he won’t be waiting by the phone for a possible call-up to the Irish team.

With Jared Payne ruled out and Johnny Sexton waiting on results of a scan to a groin injury, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is likely to call-up at least one back in the next 24-hours.

Leinster have already lost flanker Rhys Ruddock to the Irish side today as cover for the injured Peter O’Mahony and with just two scrum-halves in the camp, there is talk that Schmidt could look to either Boss or Kieran Marmion to join the squad.

However, speaking at this afternoon’s Leinster press briefing – prior to Ruddock’s call-up – Boss said that he isn’t expecting to be joining the squad, joking that with the list of injuries after yesterday’s win, every fit professional should be keeping an eye on their phones.

“No, there’s been no contact, I haven’t even thought about it to be honest, you wouldn’t really have a clue who Joe’s going to go with.

“There’s a few injuries I guess, half the country at the moment might be on standby, so not even a thought.

“It would be nice to get there but like I said there’s a couple of backs, outside backs and inside backs injured so they might need a bit more cover there so it depends a lot on what happens Johnny.”

Jonathan Sexton down injured Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Boss added that while he was delighted to see his teammates sealing top spot in Pool D, naturally there was part of him that was disappointed not to be involved.

“It’s always bittersweet, you know? You cheer away for them and then you’re like, ‘Buggers, I wish I was there!’”

However, he maintains that his full focus is on Leinster and this weekend’s meeting with top of the table Scarlets in Wales.

After two wins in their opening three games, Leinster have made a positive start to the season given their long list of absentees, and Boss says Friday night’s game is a huge opportunity for the younger member of the squad to gain big-match experience.

“It’s easy to get distracted by all that’s going on at the World Cup at the moment, and the other two games in Cardiff over the weekend, but Scarlets are unbeaten this season so far and they’re doing really well, they’ve got an unbelievable team that play a good brand of rugby and we haven’t done the best when we’ve gone to the Scarlets ground before.

“This is where guys earn their stripes and show they’re really capable of playing in the big matches and this is one of those games for us and a lot of the young guys on the team and this could cement futures for some of them so hopefully we get a good response from the boys.”

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