Hayes included in Reds’ Heineken Cup squad

MUNSTER’S ongoing front-row injury problems have ensured John Hayes’ glittering career with the province will be further extended, after he was named in their Heineken Cup squad for the 2011/’12 season last night.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner last month, Hayes — who turns 38 next month and has won 105 Irish caps — had intended hanging up his boots at the end of last season, but subsequently made himself available at the behest of the IRFU, in case of injuries to any of Ireland’s World Cup front-rowers in New Zealand.

But it was a shortage of fit props in the Munster set-up that saw him return to coach Tony McGahan’s plans, and with Darragh Hurley and Peter Borlase still not back to full fitness, Hayes was yesterday named among the 38-strong panel.