Another Ireland call beckons for Murphy

ROB KEARNEY’S enforced absence through injury has opened the door for Geordan Murphy to make a dramatic return to Ireland colours for tomorrow week’s Six Nations encounter against England in Twickenham.

Following a long lay-off through injury, the 63-times capped Kildare man has made cameo appearances off the bench for his club, the Leicester Tigers, over the past fortnight and Declan Kidney revealed that Murphy will link up with the Ireland squad in Dublin next week.

Ireland’s nominal fullback, Kearney, finds his future participation in the 2010 Six Nations Championship hanging by a thread after Kidney confirmed that the Louth man will be sidelined for three to five weeks with a knee injury.

The Leinster man sustained a knee injury during the first half of Ireland’s 33-10 defeat to France last weekend, and though he is rehabbing with the squad in Cork this week, the 23-year-old is definitely out of tomorrow week’s match against Martin Johnson’s unbeaten England side.

The British and Irish Lion could also miss the March 13 clash with Wales in Croke Park though there is a possibility he may return for the final match of Ireland’s 2010 Six Nations campaign against Scotland at GAA headquarters.

Murphy, meanwhile, is likely to start for the Tigers in their Guinness Premiership clash with Northampton tomorrow, a game Kidney says he’ll monitor closely. “We’ll give him a look,” said Kidney in Cork yesterday. “We’re hoping he’ll get a start for Leicester against Gloucester on Saturday. He’s had two sub appearances over the last two weekends. It was always our plan to bring him into training next week, whether he has enough game time or not… but you wouldn’t rule anybody out.”

Donncha O’Callaghan is also likely to figure in the selection process next Monday night when the Ireland brains trusts convene to pick their match-22 to face the ‘auld enemy’ in London.

The Munster lock will see a specialist early next week to ascertain whether he can return to top-flight action.

“He does have a prospect,” said Kidney of O’Callaghan’s chances of facing England. “He’s trained with us this week and will see a specialist early next week, and we’ll be told then whether to consider him or not.”

Stephen Ferris and Leo Cullen didn’t take any real part in training over the last two days, though Kidney expects them to be available for next week. Another injury worry, John Hayes, who could win his 100th Ireland cap against England, was given the all clear on Wednesday and trained yesterday morning at Nemo Rangers’ indoor facility in Douglas. Brian O’Driscoll also trained fully while Tom Court will not be risked for Ulster tonight after taking a knock to the ribs in training.

Regarding Rory Best, Kidney is allowing the Ulster man line out with his province tonight in the Magners League, and the likelihood is that he’ll be the Ireland hooker against England.

“Guys need to play. In the ideal world, you want 30-40 guys at training. History tells us that guys are better off coming in from having game experience under their belt and match time and in Rory’s case he had a start with Banbridge and then had his two sub outings with us so we just feel he needs to start this weekend. The fact it’s a Friday night game is a help with that.”