Ireland facing full-back crisis

Ireland are facing a full-back crisis after both Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey emerged as an injury doubt for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales.

Ireland are facing a full-back crisis after both Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey emerged as an injury doubt for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales.

Dempsey took a limited part in training on Monday with the Irish squad, which included a rehab session on his injured hip.

His injury will be monitored over the next 24 hours to determine his level of participation in Ireland's preparation for their Six Nations showdown with Wales.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Murphy – Dempsey's main rival for the full-back berth – suffered a strain to his right Achilles tendon during Leicester's Guinness Premiership victory over Leeds at Welford Road on Sunday.

A statement from Ireland said that the Tigers star also missed out on the team's training session on Monday and that the injury will be further assessed over the next 24 hours by the team's medical team.

Murphy was recalled to the Ireland line-up for the Six Nations clash against Scotland and claimed the man-of-the-match honours following their 34-13 victory at Croke Park.

Were both Dempsey and Murphy to be ruled out, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan could move Leinster wing Robert Kearney across to full-back and bring the experienced Shane Horgan off the bench to fill the vacancy in a back three also featuring the in-form Tommy Bowe.