Prop Tadhg Furlong is out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England through injury.
The 32-year-old Leinster front-rower will sit out Saturday’s game at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin after suffering a recurrence of a calf problem during training in Portugal.
Connacht’s Jack Aungier has been called into the squad as a replacement.
An Irish Rugby Football Union statement said: “Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of next weekend’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training and he has returned to Dublin for further assessment.
“Jack Aungier has been called up to the squad.”
Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop goal handed England a 23-22 victory over Ireland at Twickenham last year, in the process ending a run of four successive defeats by them.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 26, 2025