Ireland hit by injury double whammy

Influential centre Garry Ringrose and stalwart lock Devin Toner will miss Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Scotland on Saturday due to injury.

Leinster midfielder Ringrose has picked up a hamstring complaint, while Toner aggravated an existing ankle problem in Saturday’s 32-20 Dublin defeat by England.

Wing Keith Earls appears to have proved his fitness after a hip concern by training on Tuesday, but Ireland must now face the Scots without three key operators, with CJ Stander already missing due to facial fractures.

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Ireland confirmed their mounting injury issues on Twitter, with head coach Joe Schmidt now facing a significant reshuffle of his resources.

“Update: Garry Ringrose and Devin Toner have been ruled out for the game against Scotland. Keith Earls trained today,” the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed on social media.

The absence of Leinster lineout specialist Toner will prove the biggest miss to boss Schmidt and Ireland.

Update: @Ringrose_G & @DevinToner4 have been ruled out for the game against Scotland.@KEITHEARLS87 trained today.

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2019

The 32-year-old has only missed six Test matches since Schmidt took the helm in November 2013, with the Kiwi coach drawing heavily on his set-piece acumen.

Ireland approached this year’s Six Nations appearing in a position of strength at lock, but were struck by injuries to Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne before the tournament even kicked off.

Ulsterman Henderson’s finger problem and Munster star Beirne’s knee complaint thinned Ireland’s locking stocks and Toner’s absence will heavily test Schmidt’s squad depth.

Connacht’s Quinn Roux looks set to slot into Ireland’s second row alongside James Ryan then, with Ultan Dillane poised to take a seat on the bench.

Munster lock Billy Holland has also been added to Ireland’s squad this week as further cover.

Ringrose’s absence will tempt Schmidt into shifting Robbie Henshaw back into the centres, after the Leinster star struggled with his move to full-back in last weekend’s England loss.

Munster’s Chris Farrell and Ulster’s Will Addison are further midfield options for Schmidt, while Rob Kearney could return at full-back.