Conor Murray has been ruled out of Ireland’s autumn Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
The British and Irish Lions scrum-half has not played since damaging his neck on Ireland’s summer tour to Australia in June, and was omitted from the 42-man autumn squad.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt had insisted after Saturday’s 28-17 win over Argentina that Murray was still in the running for a surprise return to take on the All Blacks.
News: Henshaw & Murray Out Of #GuinnessSeries Squad #TeamOfUs https://t.co/JxReSZCugd pic.twitter.com/TUh6f3c1V9 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 12, 2018
Murray has now been ruled out however, with Ireland also missing potent centre Robbie Henshaw, who has hamstring trouble.
“Conor Murray is accelerating through his recovery but will not join the squad during the Guinness Series window,” the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed in a statement.
“Robbie Henshaw’s hamstring issue will rule him out of the remainder of the series.
Broken bones heal. I’ll be Back.Thanks for all the kind messages and txts, some great genuine people out there! https://t.co/6GlRAMAdr6 — Sean O' Brien (@SeanOBrien1987) November 12, 2018
“After the opening game of the 2018 Guinness Series at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening a couple of players will be managed in training today following a physical encounter against Argentina but all are expected to train fully on Tuesday and Thursday.”
Leinster and Lions centre Henshaw pulled out of Saturday’s Argentina match in the warm-up, with Ireland initially hopeful he would be ready to take on New Zealand.
But now he will miss the remaining two autumn matches, leaving a sizeable hole in Ireland’s line-up.
Head coach Schmidt will hope Bundee Aki shakes off the minor ankle issue he picked up against the Pumas, though he was reported to be walking around unimpeded in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s Dublin victory.
Garry Ringrose is expected to be fit to face the All Blacks after a sore hip, and his availability would hand Schmidt a significant boost.
Ireland will also be without Sean O’Brien to take on the back-to-back world champions New Zealand, after the Leinster flanker broke his arm against Argentina.
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