Howe Called Into Senior Squad, Burke Out of A side.

05/04/02.Tyrone Howe has been called into the Ireland Senior squad as cover for Denis Hickie who is receiving treatment for a back spasm but Paul Burke has cried off the A side.

The move bringing Howe in is, according to manager Brian O’Brien, purely precautionary. ” It is of course a worry. But we have been advised by our medical team that he should be ok and based on that I’m fairly confident Denis will take his place on Saturday. However we can’t take any chances, we have to have cover.”

With Howe now in Paris, Gordon D’Arcy steps up to the A starting line-up for their Grand Slam attempt in Le Roche sur Yon. However, they have lost out-half Paul Burke with an ankle injury and he is replaced by in-form London Irish stand off, Barry Everitt. Everitt’s clubmate, Justin Bishop is on the replacement bench in place of D’Arcy.