Marshall, O’Leary and Stringer vie for Irish place

Ulster’s Paul Marshall, or one of the departing and returning Munster number nines Tomás O’Leary and Peter Stringer, are in line to make the Irish party who play a three-match Test series against New Zealand next month.

With Isaac Boss (quad injury) a doubt for Sunday’s RaboDirect Pro12 final between Leinster and the Ospreys, it’s likely national coach Declan Kidney will have to make a choice between the other three.

Three longer-term injuries rule Leinster trio Rhys Ruddock (hip surgery), Luke Fitzgerald (neck) and Eoin O’Malley (knee) out of Sunday’s game. Aside from the usual bumps and bruises, there are no other fresh injury concerns reported. Ireland trio Cian Healy, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll suffered no ill effects to the injuries which affected their preparations in the build-up to the Heineken Cup final and all three are available. Out-half Ian Madigan’s next appearance for the province will be his 50th, while Kevin McLaughlin is in line to make his 75th Leinster appearance next time out.