Under-19s withdraw from World Cup

MEDICAL examinations have confirmed that Irish U19 flanker John McCall died of cardiac failure during the weekend’s World Cup clash against New Zealand in Durban.

The devastated Irish squad were making plans to return home today after withdrawing from the tournament in the wake of the tragedy. As a mark of respect, a minute's silence will be observed before each of the games tomorrow, the day Ireland were due to play their second fixture against Japan.

It also emerged that the IRFU organised immediate counselling for McCall’s grief-stricken colleagues to help them come to terms with the loss of a team-mate.