Ireland issue squad update as prop is ruled out of Triple Crown decider

Ireland have confirmed that prop Jeremy Loughman has been ruled out of Saturday’s Triple Crown decider against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

USA-born Loughman, 30, started the first three games of the championship at loose-head before missing last weekend’s win over Wales with a calf issue.

Connacht’s Billy Bohan has joined the squad as cover but Andy Farrell appears to be faced with a straight choice between Tom O’Toole and Michael Milne as to who starts opposite Scotland tight-head, Zander Fagerson.

Munster No.8 Brian Gleeson will also train with the squad this week.

Ulster trio Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward have returned to Ulster ahead of their re-scheduled URC clash away to Edinburgh on Friday night.

The Ireland team will be named on Thursday afternoon.

Ireland are currently two points off the pace in third and need to extend their 11-game winning streak over Scotland if they are to keep their title hopes alive.

If they do make it 12 on the spin with a bonus-point victory, a seventh Six Nations crown will be theirs if France lose at home to England or draw without picking up a bonus point.

Scotland’s last win in Dublin was 23-20 at Croke Park in the 2010 Six Nations. They have never won at the Aviva Stadium.