• Six Nations

Injury forces Ireland to bring in Cullen

Scrum staff
February 4, 2010
Ireland are bidding to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles © Getty Images
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Leinster lock Leo Cullen has been drafted into the Ireland team for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy following a knee injury to Donncha O'Callaghan.

O'Callaghan has been struggling with the injury sustained on Heineken Cup duty against Northampton two weeks ago. The 30-year-old, capped 58 times and a veteran of four Lions Tests, was included in the team on Tuesday only to be ruled out after undergoing a fitness test yesterday.

O'Callaghan is the third player made unavailable for the tournament opener because of injury with Jonathan Sexton and Stephen Ferris suffering from a dead leg and knee problem respectively. Munster forward Donnacha Ryan, who has won three caps, fills Cullen's place among the substitutes.

Ireland defence coach Les Kiss expects O'Callaghan to be available for the crucial trip to France on Saturday week. "I think it's about five years since he missed a game so it's tough for him. He's done all he can to be ready it but it's not to be," Kiss told RTE.ie. "We're aiming for France obviously. The rehab the medics have done over the last 10 days has been phenomenal - it's come on fantastically. He'll be thereabouts."

While the loss of O'Callaghan is a significant blow, Cullen is a capable deputy. The 32-year-old has 20 caps and led Leinster to Heineken Cup glory last season, though Saturday will be his first Six Nations appearance since March 2003.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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