Buckley a doubt for remainder of Autumn schedule

Ireland prop Tony Buckley has been ruled out of Saturday’s test with Samoa and remains a serious doubt for the remainder of the Guinness 2010 Autumn test series, it was confirmed today.

Buckley suffered an injury to his hip flexor and was replaced by Ulster’s Tom Court late in the first half of last Saturday’s 23-21 defeat to South Africa.

Court, who impressed from the bench against the Springboks, and Leinster’s Mike Ross, who has been added to this week’s squad, look set to contest the number three jersey for the visit of the Samoans.

Further additions to the squad include Isaac Boss, Fergus McFadden, Chris Henry and Damian Varley.

A slight doubt remains over the fitness of Rob Kearney who has bad bruising on his knee.