Peter Stringer called into Irish squad

Munster scrum half Peter Stringer has been called into the Irish squad to act as cover for Tomas O’Leary.

O'Leary has continued to feel the effects of a back spasm that had troubled him during the Ireland team preparations for the second round of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against France.

O'Leary, who scored a try against the French, came through the game unscathed, but has been unable to fully shake off the injury following treatment last week after it flared up post match  .

Stringer, who acted as cover for O'Leary before the last round, will remain with the squad until the Ireland medical team are happy with the fitness of O'Leary, who has been given another 24 hours to see if the symptoms clear up.

Stringer, who excelled in Munster’s win over Edinburgh in the Magners League at the weekend, is the latest addition to the squad, after coach Declan Kidney yesterday called up eight players – Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Denis Hurley, Gavin Duffy, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan and Rhys Ruddock - who hadn’t been involved in the match-day 22 against France.