Experienced back-row forward Denis Leamy has been ruled out of Ireland’s squad for Saturday’s meeting with South Africa because of an ankle injury.
Munster’s Leamy, who had been named on the bench for the meeting with the world champions, has failed to recover after being stretchered off during Ireland’s 41-6 win over Fiji on Saturday.
His place on the bench will be taken by Sean O’Brien.
Also among the replacements on Saturday will be star flyhalf Ronan O’Gara, who has lost his place in the starting XV to his heir apparent Jonathan Sexton.
Leinster number ten Sexton scored 16 points on his debut against Fiji. — AFP
The Ireland squad:
Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Wallace, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton, Tomas O’Leary; Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris; Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan; John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Cian Healy. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Leo Cullen, Sean O’Brien, Peter Stringer (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster)