GUS McCARTHY, SEAN O’Brien and Jude Postlethwaite have all been released from the Emerging Ireland squad following Sunday’s 29-24 defeat of Western Force.
The trio will leave South Africa on Monday afternoon and will be available for URC action with their provinces this weekend.
Leinster hooker McCarthy was a try-scorer off the bench in Emerging Ireland’s win over the Pumas last Wednesday and started yesterday’s game in Bloemfontein.
He returns to Dublin with Leinster awaiting an update on hooker Rónan Kelleher ahead of Saturday’s URC meeting with Munster at Croke Park. Kelleher was forced off with an injury just 12 minutes into Leinster’s defeat of Benetton over the weekend. Leinster are also currently without Dan Sheehan, who is a long-term absentee with an ACL injury.
Munster centre O’Brien, who started against the Pumas and the Force, will rejoin Graham Rowntree’s squad as the province deal with a growing injury list. Alex Nankivell has missed Munster’s last two games, with Rory Scannell, Shane Daly and Liam Coombes among the other centre options nursing injuries ahead of Saturday’s trip to Dublin.
Postlethwaite came off the bench against the Pumas and opened the scoring against the Force on Sunday. He returns to an Ulster squad who are also light at centre. Ben Carson started alongside Stewart Moore in the Ulster midfield in their defeat to the Bulls, with Stuart McCloskey missing the game due to knee and ankle injuries. Ulster host Connacht in Belfast on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Emerging Ireland squad are due to visit Heidedal Township this afternoon before concluding their three-mach tour in South Africa by taking on the Cheetahs on Wednesday [KO 6pm Irish time].
Good to see some co-operation between the IRFU and Provinces on this.
Obviously means Kelleher is out for at least a few weeks, big blow with Sheehan already out, hopefully RK back for Nov internationals – Ireland very much need him.
@Andrew Slazenger: u mean RH?
@Andrew Slazenger: Barron and McCarthy are fine bookers and this is a great opportunity to step up. This was demonstrated in Italy and SA on the weekend. They are admirable replacements and will gain good experience.
@Con Cussed: Yes, my concern for Leinster is if it’s a long term RK injury (doesn’t look like it). For Ireland though we need RK to start vs the ABs – RH or TS on the bench
@Andrew Slazenger: Nobody paying attention to Ulster? Both RH and TS have been out injured from before the season started and haven’t played a game yet this season. Ulster have been playing Andrews and Acamady hooker McCormick so far this season.
@Kingshu: When are they expected back? I thought soon for RH but not for TS. Can’t remember where I got this from?
@Kingshu: Pretty sure RH is back soon, no? But yeh I couldn’t find anything on how long TS is out for, very open that I have missed a very long term injury for him
Presuming herring and Barron will b in match day 23 Vs all blacks if kelleher is out?
@Gary Galligan: Or maybe Healy
@Kevin Ryan: More seriously I would assume that Heffernan would be pairing with Herring
@Gary Galligan: Could be Herring and Tom Stewart
@Kevin Ryan: really building for the future with Heffernan and herring
@Niall English: As we have Sheehan, Kelleher and Stewart, worrying about building for the future not really an issue in this position. If they’re all injured do you want to play experienced guys who are more likely to win you the game, or medium level guys who likely will never be called up again, or guys who have high potential but are too young to be playing against NZ?
@Gary Galligan: Herring, Heffer, Barron?
@Warren Conlon Grant: Herring, Heffer, Stewart probably I mean. McCarthy looks a find I gotta say
@Warren Conlon Grant: Scannell is playing way better than Barron at present.
@philip kelly: Barron better than Stewart imo
@Warren Conlon Grant: I agree
@TL55: Barron is a fine hooker and more consistent player. Even better than Tom Stewart who I am a fan of.
@Gary Galligan: I’d agree with you there
@Con Cussed: Stewart higher ceiling but Barron more dependable
Munster have a frightening number of injured players. Not surprised that Sean O’Brien is on his way home.
Was expecting McCarthy’s release after the RK injury. He is already ahead of John McKee at Leinster. Lee Barron had an excellent outing v Benetton and his darts are better than Ronán’s.
Travel allowing, Gus McCarthy straight into start versus Munster.
More likely he’ll be on the bench, but a huge chance nonetheless.
Massive opportunity for a breakout year with it looking like Leinster will have no other hookers available than himself and Barron for a while.
We have so much talent comning throw at centre its amazing