Hurley retirement another Reds blow

As Heineken Cup champions Leinster go in search of a second row and centre to bolster their challenge for another European title next season, Munster have even more pressing demands following another retirement yesterday, the second one of the week, in the guise of prop Darragh Hurley.

The 26-year-old has been on the treatment table for a lower back injury since October but finally had to bow to medical advice.

Prior to Denis Leamy’s retirement announcement on Tuesday, outgoing coach Tony McGahan had already intimated Munster’s only option was to seek out a project player — someone eligible to play for Ireland down the line — as all allowable overseas positions had been filled. While Hurley’s retirement is another blow, it seems certain the project player will be sought to fill up the back row quota, where injuries reached epidemic proportions this season.