Lions captain Paul O’Connell won’t be touring New Zealand this summer.
The Ireland second row has been ruled out of his country’s series with the All Blacks after failing to overcome a knee injury.
O’Connell had been rated as 50/50 to tour following Ireland’s squad announcement last week but the Munsterman hasn’t recovered quickly enough from the setback he suffered against Ulster early this month.
The man who led the Lions in South Africa three years ago had been undergoing extensive rehabilitation in London with the hope of being able to play some part in the three Tests against the reigning World Champions but he will now continue his recovery at home rather than Down Under.
The news is a significant blow to head coach Declan Kidney who has already seen fellow Lions Stephen Ferris, Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald ruled out, as well prop forward Tom Court and scrum-half Isaac Boss.
Connacht’s Mike McCarthy has been added to the squad in place of O’Connell, while Paul Marshall has taken over from Boss in joining Eoin Reddan and Conor Murray as Kidney’s chosen No9s.
Doubts still surround the fitness of regular starter Mike Ross after the Leinster prop picked up a grade one hamstring tear that is expected to take a fortnight to heal but Ulster flanker Chris Henry is fit to tour.
Ross is touch and go to make the first Test in Auckland on June 9 but he is expected to be available for the second international in Christchurch a week later and the final rubber in Hamilton on June 23.
Ireland squad
Forwards: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Mike McCarthy, Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson
Backs: DarrenCave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo, Paul Marshall
NB Bold denotes Lion
