O'Leary a doubt for Ireland, Stringer drafted in

Scrumhalf Peter Stringer has been called into the Ireland squad ahead of the game against France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship this Sunday.

Stringer has been included as precautionary cover for Tomás O'Leary who has a back complaint.

O'Leary has had restricted training this week due to a stiff back, but the symptoms have not improved leading to the decision to call up Stringer as backup in the event O'Leary does not recover.

Stringer was due to take part in Munster’s Magners League game this weekend, but he will now remain with the Ireland squad until Sunday.

Team Manager Paul McNaughton said: "Tomás has had a stiff back which has not sufficiently improved over the course of the week, so we felt it was prudent to call Peter up to remain with the squad. Tomás is not ruled out of the game, but we will wait and see how he progresses over the next 48 hours before making any decisions on changes to the match 22."