Munster lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of Ireland’s tour of New Zealand and Australia due to a groin injury.
The 30-year-old made it into Declan Kidney’s initial 33-man squad but the injury, suffered during Ireland’s 6 Nations clash with Scotland, has left him unfit to travel.
Hooker Rory Best, who missed most of the season due to a serious neck injury which required surgery, has also been forced to withdraw from contention due to an ankle complaint.
Best is set to be replaced by Leinster’s John Fogarty while Ulster’s Ed O’Donoghue will be called in place of O’Connell.
Ireland will start their preparations for the trip Down Under with a warm-up game against Barbarians at Thomond Park next week. The tour itself will kick off with a match against the All-Blacks in New Zealand’s New Plymouth on 12 June.
The tour will also involve games against New Zealand Maori on 18 June and a Test against Australia on 26 June.
