Hayes, who has won 94 Ireland caps, will fly out to Durban this weekend

Ireland prop John Hayes has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad in South Africa as a replacement for the injured Euan Murray.

Scotland prop Murray has been ruled out of the tour with an ankle injury sustained earlier this week.

Munster forward Hayes, 35, will fly out for the remainder of the tour.

"John is an experienced international front row forward who has played 94 times for his country," said Lions coach Ian McGeechan.

"He was an integral part of the Irish Grand Slam win this year. He also played four provincial matches on the 2005 tour to New Zealand and won a Lions Test cap against Argentina prior to the tour."

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The first Test between the Lions and South Africa is in Durban on Saturday.

It is anticipated that Hayes will meet up with the squad over the weekend and will be in contention for Tuesday's final midweek tour game against the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town.

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