Ireland includes Michael Sherry in Rugby World Cup squad as cover for injured Rory Best
Ireland’s national Rugby Union team has named Munster Rugby’s hooker, Michael Sherry, as a cover for injured Rory Best, in Ireland’s 30-man squad for their ongoing 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign.
The governing body of Rugby Union in Ireland, Irish Rugby Union, has confirmed the inclusion of Sherry in the squad as a possible replacement for Best in a statement released on Tuesday, October 4.
Providing the updates of the injury to Best, Ireland team manager, Paul McNaughton, confirmed that Best has shown some progress. He said, “Rory Best is still progressing with his rehabilitation this week and while he is still rated doubtful for the Wales
game.”
Commenting on the move to include Sherry in the squad, McNaughton said, “We felt it was prudent to bring Mike Sherry down to New Zealand as precautionary cover.”
Best injured his shoulder in Ireland’s Pool C encounter against Italy, which was played at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Sunday, October 2. Ireland entered the match knowing that a defeat will end their 2011 RWC campaign.
Best sustained an injury to the AC joint of his right shoulder, during Ireland’s 36-6 victory over the Italy, which helped them to secure a quarter-final outing against Wales on Saturday, October 8.
McNaughton added that Sherry will arrive in New Zealand by Thursday, October 6. Ireland head coach, Warren Gatland, is expected to name his match-day 22 for their quarter-final clash on the same day.
Ireland assistant coach, Mark Tainton, has expressed his confidence that Best has an outside chance to recover from the injury and can play in the later stages of the tournament if Ireland makes to the semi-finals and final. He added, “The medical team’s
worked hard with Rory over the last 24 hours. He has reacted well and we are very pleased with the response. He’s not totally ruled out but his chances at the moment are long.”
Prior to Best’s injury, Ireland had already lost their first choice front row forwards player, Jerry Flannery, after he sustained a serious calf injury and was replaced by Damien Varley. In addition to Varley, Ireland also have the services of Sean Cronin
at their disposal.
The 23-year-old Sherry is a former Munster Academy product. He made his professional Rugby Union debut for Munster in 2009 against Connacht. He has made 25 appearances for Munster in both domestic and European competitions.
The International Rugby Board’s (IRB) test match rules say that each team must have a hooker amongst the players on the bench. This has prompted the squad to include Sherry in the squad.
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