Murray Kinsella reports from Cardiff

MIKE MCCARTHY IS set to join Ireland’s World Cup squad to replace the injured Paul O’Connell.

The42 understands that the Leinster lock has been notified of Joe Schmidt’s decision to add him to the playing group after scans today confirmed the worst fears about O’Connell’s hamstring injury.

McCarthy featured for Ireland in the 2014 November Tests. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Ireland captain O’Connell suffered the damage to his right leg in the final passage of play before half time in yesterday’s remarkable 24-9 victory over France in Cardiff, subsequently being stretchered off in visible agony.

Official confirmation that O’Connell is out of the remainder of the World Cup is expected from the IRFU early tomorrow, with the recovery period for the 35-year-old believed to be upwards of three months.

O’Connell is understood to be set for an operation on the hamstring in Ireland later this week.

With only Devin Toner, Iain Henderson and Donnacha Ryan remaining in the Ireland squad after the loss of O’Connell, Schmidt needed to add another lock to his training group and McCarthy is set to be that man.

The 33-year-old was not part of Ireland’s extended World Cup training squad this summer but has played under Schmidt for Ireland. McCarthy was part of Ireland’s Six Nations squad earlier this year.

McCarthy has started three games for Leinster in the Guinness Pro12 this season.