Gissing Called Up to Ireland Squad

Leinster lock Ben Gissing, a try scorer in the province’s 55-3 Celtic League win against the Dragons last night, has replaced injured colleague Leo Cullen in the Ireland squad.

Cullen was forced to withdraw from the 25-man panel- currently based at Dublin’s City West hotel – with a back injury, and with both Ulster second rows Gary Longwell (neck) and Matt McCullough (foot) unavailable, 6ft 7in Gissing has been drafted in.

Auckland-born, Gissing has been in solid form of late, appearing in 13 of Leinster’s 15 Celtic League games, and pocketing two tries, including a 34th-minute opener against the Dragons.

He also scored Leinster’s twelfth as a substitute in their landslide 13-try 92-17 Heineken Cup Pool 2 trouncing of Bourgoin before Christmas.

Last weekend his 50th provincial cap was marked with an unfortunate 29-16 loss at the Borders.

Meanwhile, Munster flanker Alan Quinlan is recovering from the broken nose he sustained in his side’s 32-17 loss at the Scarlets on Saturday night. The 30-year-old has retained his place in Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad.

The starting line-up and substitutes for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Italy, will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.