Sevens Irish players have been sent back to their provinces

The IRFU have released a squad update following their historic win over the All Blacks.

The IRFU statement read: “Following the second game of the Guinness Series game on Saturday a number of players will be managed across the week.

“Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Rob Kearney, James Ryan, Jordan Larmour, Dan Leavy and Kieran Marmion have re-joined their provinces.”

Joe Schmidt is likely to change up his selection radically ahead of the visit of the USA, which offers the New Zealander a rare chance to experiment at international level.

The also issued an injury update on Peter O’Mahoney and Dan Leavy.

“Peter O’Mahony suffered a dead leg and his training load will be managed accordingly.

“Dan Leavy has a neck strain and his rehabilitation will be managed at Leinster.”

Meanwhile Seán O’Brien underwent a surgical procedure for a forearm injury sustained in Ireland’s Guinness Series match against Argentina. He will be out for eight to 12 weeks.

Robbie Henshaw is undergoing a period of rehabilitation for a hamstring strain. He will be out for a period of four to six weeks.

Yesterday chmidt dismissed Steve Hansen’s claim that Ireland are World Cup favourites following their historic victory over New Zealand as “a little bit of banter”.

All Blacks head coach Hansen this week declared that the winner of Saturday’s showdown at the Aviva Stadium would be the number one team in the world.

New Zealand remain at the top of the rankings despite suffering a 16-9 defeat, Jacob Stockdale scoring a superb only try of pulsating Test in Dublin.

Yet Hansen stated after the world champions’ first defeat on Irish soil: “As I said earlier in the week this was number one versus number two in the world.