Ireland boosted by players returning from injury

AUCKLAND, July 14 : Winger Rob Baloucoune and prop forward Jeremy Loughman returned to training with Ireland after injury and will be in selection contention for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against New Zealand.

• Baloucoune had been selected to start Ireland’s opening game of the new competition against Australia in Sydney on July 4, but withdrew with a hamstring injury.

• Loughman suffered a head injury during the second half of the narrow 33-31 win over the Wallabies and was not considered for last week’s win over Japan.

• Ireland will attempt to become the first side to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park since France in 1994.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Atlanta; Editing by Hugh Lawson)