IRELAND have suffered a huge blown ahead of next Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England.
Prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of the clash due to a reoccurrence of a calf injury.
The Wexford ace missed the entirety of Ireland’s November Nations Series test clashes before making his return for Leinster in January.
The 32-year-old forward has been blighted with calf issues for a number of seasons.
Leinster’s Furlong will be replaced by Connacht’s Jack Aungier, who is expected to join up with the squad as the prepare for the clash against their rivals in Portugal.
Finlay Bealham is likely to start after news of the injury was confirmed.
The IRFU issued a statement confirming the news but did not provided a timeline for his recovery.
It read: “Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of the opening week’s game after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training on Saturday and he has returned to Dublin for further assessment.
“An update will be available later in the week.
“Connacht’s Jack Aungier has been called up to the squad.”
“Leinster trio Jack Boyle, James Lowe and Dan Sheehan linked up with the Ireland squad on Sunday morning, while Connacht scrum-half Caolin Blade will also arrive on Monday.”
Dan Sheehan, James Lowe, and Jack Boyle flew out to ‘The Campus’ on Sunday in Quinta do Lago as Ireland prepare for their 2025 opener.
Hooker Dan Sheehan returned to action for the first time in six months last night.
The Leinster number two picked up a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury in last year’s first test of the drawn series against world champions South Africa.
Sheehan skippered Leinster last night in the absence of Caelan Doris, and went on to star in the win over the Stormers at Aviva Stadium.
He bagged a brace of tries in the 36-12 URC win over the South African side.
He’ll be joined by winger James Lowe, who also returned after not playing since November.
The duo’s return is great news for Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby.
Ireland vs England kicks-off at 4:45pm next Saturday.
