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Rugby World Cup: Ireland order Sherry to join squad as Best cover

| 04.10.2011

Michael Sherry has been given the call to fly out to New Zealand as cover for Ireland hooker Rory Best.

Best is doubtful for their quarter final against Wales on Saturday having picked up a shoulder injury in their convincing 36-6 win against Italy last weekend.

Speaking to the BBC, Ireland manager Paul McNaughton said: “Rory Best is still progressing with his rehabilitation this week and while he is still rated doubtful for the Wales game.

“We felt it was prudent to bring Mike Sherry down to New Zealand as precautionary cover.”

Ireland head into the game as narrow favourites against the Welsh at 8/11, while Warren Gatland’s men are out at 6/5 to make their first semi final since 1987.

However, losing Best would be a huge blow to Irish hopes.

He has been brilliant during this World Cup and was instrumental in their crucial Pool C win against Australia that all but guaranteed them a table-topping finish.

Meanwhile, England centre Mike Tindall has missed training today after picking up a dead leg in their final Pool B game against Scotland.

It’s the latest in a long line of problems for England out in South Africa, with the players’ antics off the pitch proving more eye-catching than their performances on it.

France will recall prop Nicolas Mas and No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy for their quarter final with England.

Neither player were in the starting XV for their shock 19-14 defeat to Tonga last weekend, with Mas missing with a hamstring strain and Harinordoquy sat on the bench.

The France team is the first of the eight quarter final teams to be announced and they head into their game with England as 11/8 outsiders.

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Author

Richard Anderson