New Zealand 66-28 Ireland, New Plymouth, June 12
Ruddock gets Ireland call up
Scrum.com
June 13, 2010
Ireland's Rhys Ruddock tackles Scotland's Andrew White, Scotland U20s v Ireland U20s, McDiarmid Park, Perth, Scotland, March 13, 2009
Ireland U20s skipper Rhys Ruddock will join the full Test squad in New Zealand as a replacement for the injured John Muldoon © PA Photos
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Ireland U20s captain Rhys Ruddock has been called up to join the full Test squad in New Zealand.

The uncapped flanker was taking part in the IRB Junior World Championships in Argentina but has been released by U20s coach Allen Clarke to join his first senior tour to replace John Muldoon who broke his arm during yesterday's crushing defeat against the All Blacks.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has also seen his back row option depleted by a five-week ban handed to No.8 Jamie Heaslip who was found guilty of kneeing New Zealand captain Richie McCaw during the New Plymouth clash. With both players out of the tour, Ruddock will fly from Argentina immediately and will join the team in Rotoura on Monday evening ahead of the game against New Zealand Maori on Friday.

Muldoon will undergo surgery on his broken arm in Auckland in the next 24 hours before returning home with Heaslip. Second row Mick O'Driscoll suffered a back spasm which forced him to leave the field during the first half of the game at Yarrow Stadium but the injury has improved and he will continue to receive treatment over the next 48 hours.

Wing Shane Horgan has also recovered from his stomach complaint that prevented him leaving with the balance of the squad from Ireland and has arrived in Rotorua. He joins Jerry Flannery who flew out to meet up with the squad in New Plymouth following his calf strain suffered in the Barbarians game.

"We are obviously disappointed to be losing John following his injury, I felt any replacement should be one that would benefit from the experience," commented Kidney.

"There were other options in terms of back row replacements, but rather than bring in somebody who we were already aware of and what they could bring (to the squad), we felt Rhys would be a different option. He has performed very well for the U20's and with Leinster when he has had the chance to play this season, so this will be a good chance for him to gain experience and we have every confidence in him".

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