Munster Rugby hooker called up to Ireland squad ahead of Samoa fixture

MUNSTER Rugby hooker Diarmuid Barron has travelled with the Ireland squad as cover for Saturday's final World Cup warm-up game in France.

The uncapped Barron is part of the squad for Saturday's meeting with Samoa at Jean Dauger, Bayonne, 7.45pm Irish time, live on RTE2 in the absence of the injured Dan Sheehan.

Leinster hooker Sheehan has remained in Dublin to rehabilitate the foot problem he sustained in the first half of Saturday’s 29-10 win over England. Another Leinster hooker Ronán Kelleher is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Injured Munster Rugby prop Dave Kilcoyne and Leinster back-row Jack Conan have also not made the trip to France for next weekend's game with Samoa as they continue their rehabilitation programmes.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said in the run-up to the win over England that both players would definitely be fit for selection for the World Cup.

Great news this evening as @GarryowenFC & @Munsterrugby hooker Diarmuid Barron has flown to France with the @IrishRugby training squad as Dan Sheehan was held back in Dublin to rehabilitate the foot injury he suffered in the win over England. Good well Diarmuid!! #GinG pic.twitter.com/oZyXRMa5Hq

— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) August 21, 2023

Twenty five-year-old Diarmuid Barron was a key figure in Munster's run to winning the URC title at the end of last season. The Garryowen FC clubman scored five tries in 22 appearances and earned his 50th cap for the province against Scarlets last March.