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Tadhg Furlong ruled out of Ireland’s clash with England
By PA
Prop Tadhg Furlong is out of Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England through injury.
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The 32-year-old Leinster front-rower will sit out Saturday’s game at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin after suffering a recurrence of a calf problem during training in Portugal.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby has plugged the sizeable gap left by Furlong by drafting in Connacht’s Jack Aungier.
An Irish Rugby Football Union statement said: “Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of next weekend’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training and he has returned to Dublin for further assessment.
“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.
“Meanwhile, Munster coach Mike Prendergast has also linked up with the Ireland squad this week ahead of assuming the position of Head Coach of the Ireland ‘A’ squad to face England in Bristol next month.”
Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop goal handed England a 23-22 victory over Ireland at Twickenham last year, in the process ending a run of four successive defeats by them.
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