Doak earns Ireland call-up

Ulster scrum-half Neil Doak was the only uncapped player named in Ireland’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad when it was announced this morning at Lansdowne Road.

The 30-strong squad, captained by Keith Wood, is made up of 17 forwards and 13 backs, although coach Eddie O’Sullivan had to contend with the late blow of losing Geordan Murphy (broken leg) and Rob Henderson (ruptured bicep) to injury this weekend.

O’Sullivan said: “In spite of some untimely injuries to Geordan Murphy and Rob Henderson, I am happy that we have a particularly strong squad with a good mix of experience and skill.

“This is borne out by the fact that difficult decisions had to be made in the selections of many positions.

“We have now taken the first formal step in the road to Rugby World Cup 2003 by naming the squad and we know we do so with the full support of the Irish public.”