Murray Kinsella reports from Cardiff
IRELAND HAVE CONFIRMED that Rhys Ruddock has been added to their World Cup squad in place of the injured Peter O’Mahony.
The Munster captain’s tournament was ended by a knee ligament injury sustained during yesterday’s win over France, and Joe Schmidt has acted swiftly to call up his replacement.
Ruddock will arrive into Cardiff today to link up with Schmidt’s squad, bringing with him five senior international caps. The Leinster back row missed out on Ireland’s original World Cup squad due to an arm injury but has recovered since.
The 24-year-old played in Leinster’s 37-13 Guinness Pro12 win over the Dragons two weekends ago, starting the game at number eight after being drafted in as a late injury replacement for Jack Conan.
Ruddock again arrives to provide important cover, and he may even play some part in Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina next weekend depending on whether or not Sean O’Brien is cited for striking Pascal Papé.
Ireland have not yet announced a replacement for the injured Jared Payne, whose World Cup was ended by a fractured foot.