Hurley drafted into Ireland squad

NEWS:MUNSTER FULLBACK Denis Hurley has been drafted into the Ireland squad as an extra back, following the withdrawal of Brian O'Driscoll on Tuesday. O'Driscoll will miss the entire November international match series after injuring his ankle at the weekend playing with Leinster. Hurley, who played for Ireland against the USA in 2009, came into the Ireland camp yesterday and will train with the squad today.

That will give the Munster man a chance to listen to double bronze medallist Olympic Paddy Barnes, who according to Twitter is “off to beat up the IRFU at Carton House”.

The light-flyweight follows the path of Marvin Hagler, the undisputed world middleweight champion of the 1980s, who also gave a motivational talk to the Ireland squad during Eddie O’Sullivan’s reign as coach.

Several players have been released from the Irish base in Carton House back to the provinces for game time in the Rabo Pro12 matches over the weekend.

Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy and Stephen Ferris have all been released back to play for Ulster against Edinburgh.

They play in Belfast tomorrow night.

Ronan O’Gara has also been sprung for Munster as has prop Declan Fitzpatrick. The Ulsterman was being managed on a graduated return-to-play programme following a concussion sustained last Friday night, but suffered a setback and will now be rested until Monday, at which time he will recommence the testing procedures. This makes him unavailable for selection until he has completed the full rehabilitation programme.

Following his release, O’Gara took part in training with the Munster squad yesterday and will be in contention for a place against Cardiff Blues in Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow.

The Ireland outhalf did not feature in Munster’s recent Heineken Cup encounter with Edinburgh due to a hamstring injury.

Assuming he pulls through the match tomorrow, O’Gara will be fit to play some part in Ireland’s opening match of the November series against South Africa on Saturday week, if selected.

Keith Earls, another player short on game time, has remained with the Ireland squad. Earls injured his groin prior to Munster’s first Heineken Cup match.

While Declan Kidney has not revealed who he is going to start against South Africa, it would be routine to release the player to his province to avail of some game time before throwing him into a full international.

Earls has not been released to Munster this week, suggesting that his rehabilitation has still some distance to go.

To bolster Munster’s man-power in the back row, CJ Stander arrived in Ireland earlier this week and introduced himself to the his new team-mates yesterday for the first time at training in the University of Limerick.

The 22-year-old, who joins Munster on a two-year contract, also took part in a routine medical but will not feature for Rob Penney’s side in tomorrow night’s match.

Stander, who is expected to remain in Ireland until he qualifies for Irish residency, looks likely to make his Munster debut in the home Rabo Pro12 encounter with the Llanelli Scarlets on Sunday, November 25th, at Musgrave Park.

He has mostly played blindside flanker this season although can play in all of the back row positions.

Stander will base himself in Limerick during his stay. He was previously South African Schools captain and an under-20 wing forward.

He played 13 times and scored four tries for the Bulls in his first season playing Super 15 rugby.

Connacht have added four new players to the Connacht Academy with 19-year-old Darragh Leader, 20-year-old Steve Macauley, scrumhalf Marcus Walsh and 20-year-old Peter Reilly all coming in to bolster the squad.