Tigers star Morris earns Ireland opportunity

It’s not easy to create a stir when your panel extends to 42 names, but Joe Schmidt’s first Irish squad announcement yesterday did at least throw up a handful of interesting talking points.

Chief among them was the inclusion of Leicester Tiger’s former Leinster wing-cum-full-back Niall Morris, who has broken into the training squad for November’s Guinness Series internationals against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.

The 25-year old will gather with the other holders of Irish rugby’s golden tickets for a two-day camp at Carton House on Sunday and Monday on the back of a superb season with Leicester and an impressive tour to Georgia with Emerging Ireland. Morris scored eight tries in 25 appearances for the Tigers last season, including the opener in their Premiership final defeat of Northampton Saints at Twickenham, and added two more against Uruguay at the Tbilisi Cup.