Mel Deane and Justin Bishop called into Irish Squad

Mel Deane, the ex-Connacht centre now with Sale, and Justin Bishop of London Irish, have been called into Ireland’s four-day get-together in Belfast this week in light of the Maggs withdrawl.

Mel Deane, the ex-Connacht centre now with Sale, and Justin Bishop of London Irish, have been called into Ireland’s four-day get-together in Belfast this week in light of the Maggs withdrawl.
Kevin Maggs is almost certainly out for the remainder of the Six Nations championship after sustaining a broken arm in Bath’s 27-9 defeat at home to Leicester on Saturday. Other possible replacements include Rob Henderson, but given that he is is still recovering from a groin injury, is not expected to be fully fit again in time for Saturday week’s match at home to Italy. The A team inside centre Jason Holland has also been sidelined from the training session at Ravenhill due to a shoulder injury.
Speaking about the sudden departure of Maggs from the squad, manager Brian O’Brien expressed his disapointment for Maggs. “I spoke to him (Maggs) this morning and he’s going to his doctor for an update this evening. Unless there is a small miracle, he’s out for the rest of the season. It’s a shame, because he was on top of is game.”
The loss of Maggs could undoubtedly be quite unsettling for the Irish team, but the 22 man squad for the Italian game will be announced on Thursday.
Whilst Eddie O’Sullivan is clearly keen to look at his midfield options judging by the call-ups for Deane and Bishop, there is a possibility that Shane Horgan will be asked revert to centre and renew his midfield partnership with Brian O’Driscoll, and Tyrone Howe could be recalled to the wing.
All will become clear at Thursday’s squad announcement.