Leinster flanker Shane Jennings has undergone surgery on a broken arm, leaving his hopes of making Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad in the balance.

The 29-year-old, capped nine times by his country, was injured in last weekend's Magners League Grand Final loss to Munster at Thomond Park.

Early reports suggest a lay-off of eight weeks, giving the former Leicester openside a chance of playing a part in Ireland's World Cup warm-up games in August.

Declan Kidney's men will play Scotland, France (twice) and England prior to the tournament in New Zealand, with Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris another currently on the injured list.

Munster's David Wallaces is the current holder of the Ireland No.7 jersey, with Jennings' Leinster team-mate, Sean O'Brien, also comfortable in the position.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has been forced into an embarrassing climb down over its ticketing strategy for the upcoming autumn internationals.

The organisation announced last month that supporters could not buy tickets on an individual basis for Ireland's November Tests against South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina, meaning that those wishing to attend all of the games at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road venue would have to fork out a grand total of €340 (£280).

The announcement of the new pricing structure was met with widespread criticism, not least because the game-by-game breakdown of match ticket prices indicated a price hike of 25 percent in comparison to last year's Tests at Croke Park, and it sparked a revolt a club level and poor sales.

Despite initially insisting it would be standing firm on the issue, the IRFU admitted after a management committee meeting on Monday night that it had "made an error in its ticketing strategy" and promised to review the scheme after the conclusion of the national team's autumnal programme.

"There has been slower than expected demand for this autumn's Guinness Series," IRFU chief executive Philip Browne stated. "There are a number of elements impacting on this situation since the sales structure was drawn up in March 2010, including a further significant deterioration in the economic climate.

"While the situation varies from club to club we are aware that a number of clubs are still in possession of tickets for matches. In the interests of Irish Rugby, the IRFU, the Branches and the Clubs, must continue to work hard to sell these tickets right up to kick-off for each match.

"The IRFU do not want to see clubs suffer financial hardship as a result of being unable to sell ticket packages for this Guinness Series and consequently will only seek immediate payment for tickets sold. On completion of the series, the IRFU will work with the Branches and Clubs to assess the effect of the reduced demand for tickets.

"In addition the IRFU will undertake a comprehensive review of its entire ticket sales strategy, which includes price tiering, bundling and distribution channels. As part of this review, which will commence immediately on completion of the Guinness Series, it will consult widely with its stakeholders."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

Connacht have secured the signature of former New Zealand age-grade international prop Rodney Ah You as a replacement for the retired Robbie Morris.

Significantly, the Irish province have given the ex-Canterbury prospect an 18-month deal which is a break from the Irish Rugby Football Union policy of limiting the westerners to one year deals.

A member of New Zealand's winning Junior World Cup sides in both 2007 and 2008, Ah You is expected in Galway in the next 10 days.

Ah You comes to Connacht after two seasons with New Zealand provincial side Canterbury while the province also have three props on three-month trials, South African Dylan Rogers, Australian Barry Fa'amausili, and St Mary's Rob Sweeney.

via espnscrum.com

Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D'Arcy and Jamie Heaslip in the Ireland commemorative kit to be worn against South Africa on November 6. Photo: Brendan Moran / Sportsfile

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw carries no grudge towards Jamie Heaslip ahead of next month's clash with Ireland and says he has "moved on" from the red card incident in their last Test encounter in June.

Heaslip was sent off after 15 minutes in New Plymouth for kneeing McCaw at a ruck, with the All Blacks taking advantage of their numerical superiority to romp to a 66-28 victory. The Ireland No 8 served a five-week suspension during the summer and has started the season in superb form for Leinster, captaining the province to four victories in a row in October.

McCaw is looking forward to New Zealand's Grand Slam tour, and the Ireland match at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road on November 20, and says the red card incident has been put firmly in the past.

"These things sometimes happen on the field so you just move on," said McCaw. "I definitely do not carry grudges. I can put that stuff away and get on with the game.

"The Irish game will be the first time we have played at the new stadium so that will be special. If we don't turn up with the right attitude, it will be a tough day. I've never had an easy win in Dublin."

Declan Kidney has called Luke Fitzgerald and Brett Wilkinson into his squad ahead of the November 6 clash with South Africa. South African loose-head Wilkinson, who qualifies for Ireland under the residency rule, covers for the injured Marcus Horan.

Fitzgerald was not named in the original 34-man panel but recovered sufficiently from injury to join up with the squad yesterday.

- Hugh Farrelly

Irish Independent

By MARC HINTON in Sydney

Another week, another stride towards All Black immortality for New Zealand's captain fantastic Richie McCaw.

McCaw on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium in Sydney celebrated a milestone night with another important and influential performance for his beloved All Blacks as they pipped the Wallabies 24-23 in a thriller.

Not only did the 29-year-old Cantab surpass Sean Fitzpatrick's All Black record with his 52nd appearance as captain of New Zealand's iconic team (for just six losses, would you believe), but he also added another couple of marks for good measure.

With his third try of the Tri-Nations - a match-turner to boot, as he worked a clever move with Kieran Read off the back of a scrum - McCaw not only entered uncharted territory as the greatest scorer among All Black forwards but also the most successful against Australia with his eighth touchdown.

But more than the numbers game, it was the rugby one that he most excelled at. After a somewhat ragged first 50 minutes or so, McCaw led the Kiwi fightback with a splendid display, alongside his fellow Cantab Kieran Read. When they were joined in the loose trio by Jermome Kaino off the bench early in the second spell the game effectively changed.

That, more than another few marks to his name, pleased McCaw at the end of a night when the All Blacks broke a file cabinet's worth of records.

Not only do they now have the most consecutive wins over the Wallabies (10) and have become the first team to go 6-0 through the Tri-Nations, they have also smashed the record for most points in the competition (184) and tries (22).

"I don't get too carried away with those sort of things," shrugged McCaw at the end of a torrid encounter. "You've got to go out and do your job, and I guess when you reflect on those sort of milestones having a win under your belt certainly makes it nice.

"It's something I'm proud of but you can't do it without a good bunch around you. I just love playing for this team, being captain of this team, and it's a thrill every time I run out with the All Black jersey on."

McCaw admitted the All Blacks were badly out of sorts in the first half (trailing 6-14) and said the comeback had been about getting field position and starting to build pressure.

"Once we started that the confidence grew and the things we practised started to work. For the last 20 minutes it felt like we had a bit of momentum, and started to feel like we were getting on top."

McCaw said he felt momentum shift around the three-quarter mark. He wasn't sure that was because of his team's composure and better application or Wallaby tiredness. Probably a bit of both, he figured.

In terms of his try which was complained about by a bitter Robbie Deans after the match, McCaw adopted a fatalistic view.

"It's in the book now, isn't it," he said. "It was probably touch and go."

The skipper was not only an influential performer, but his decisions were on the money.. Down the stretch he turned down penalties and elected to go for tries, and those calls paid dividends for the New Zealanders.

"We needed two tries to get ahead, and it felt like we were starting to get on top. That's why I elected to have a drive and also a scrum. It worked out the right thing to do," he said.

After yet another win from a tight spot, backing up on the two tries in the last three minutes that saw them sneak home in Soweto, McCaw felt his team's newfound mental strength had been about habit and partly experience.

"A lot of guys have played a lot of tests and been through a lot of experiences, both good and bad. So when you get into situations like that out there the key is be composed and keep believing in what you're doing.

"It's being able to keep everyone on task and do the things we believe are going to work. When it came down to having too get things right the guys you expect to do that are the ones putting their hand up. That's pleasing.

"It's not rocket science. It's everyone being on the same page and doing it well."

McCaw didn't say so, but probably the biggest reason these All Blacks are so cool under pressure has to do with the man leading the fightbacks.

A record breaker, and a game shaker.. That's the man who must now be considered one of the greatest All Black captains of all time.