Stringer Brought In As Scrum Half Cover

Scrum half Peter Stringer has been called into the Ireland squad ahead of the game against France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship this Sunday.

Peter Stringer has been included as precautionary cover for Tomas O’Leary who has a back complaint.

O’Leary, who has been selected to start against France, has had restricted training this week due to a stiff back, but the symptoms have not improved leading to the decision to call up Stringer as back-up in the event that O’Leary does not recover.

Stringer was due to take part in Munster’s Magners League match against Benetton Treviso this weekend, but he will now remain with the Ireland squad until Sunday.

Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton said: “Tomas has had a stiff back which has not sufficiently improved over the course of the week, so we felt it was prudent to call Peter up to remain with the squad.

“Tomas is not ruled out of the game, but we will wait and see how he progresses over the next 48 hours before making any decisions on changes to the matchday 22.”