 Kevin McLaughlin came off injured in the Magners League Final |
Leinster flanker Kevin McLaughlin has become the third player to be ruled out of Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia through injury. McLaughlin's withdrawal means a call-up for Munster's twice-capped back-row forward Niall Ronan who has joined up with the Irish squad in Limerick. Coach Declan Kidney had already lost lock Paul O'Connell and Ulster hooker Rory Best to groin and ankle injuries. McLaughlin misses out with a knee injury sustained against the Ospreys. McLaughlin's Leinster team-mate Shane Jennings picked up an ankle injury in the Magners League Grand Final but a scan revealed the injury is not as serious as first feared and he will join up with the squad on Tuesday. The Ireland squad is preparing for Friday's encounter with the Barbarians at Thomond Park. 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. 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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