Rory Best misses Ireland trip to New Zealand and Australia

Ulster hooker Rory Best and Munster lock Paul O'Connell have been ruled out of Ireland's tour to New Zealand and Australia because of injury.

Best had been struggling with an ankle problem while second row O'Connell has not recovered from a groin injury.

Leinster hooker John Fogarty has been called up to replace Best while another uncapped man, Ulster's Ed O'Donoghue, comes in for O'Connell.

Before flying out, Ireland will play the Barbarians in Limerick on 4 June.

Their first match of the tour is a meeting with New Zealand in New Plymouth on 12 June.

The New Zealand Maoris team is the next opposition for Ireland in Rotorua on 18 June as part of the Maoris centenary celebrations.

The final game of the tour will see Ireland playing their Rugby World Cup Pool C opponents Australia in Brisbane on 26 June.

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