Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out of July's Nations Championship matches with Australia, Japan, and New Zealand due to a foot injury. The 27-year-old was forced off in the early stages of Leinster's United Rugby Championship final win over the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday.
Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien has also been ruled out of the three summer matches with a groin injury. Ulster duo Bryn and Zac Ward have been called up in place of the injured duo, while hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland in the absence of Doris.
Andy Farrell's side fly to Sydney on Monday ahead of the Nations Championship opener with Australia on 4 July. Ireland then take on Japan on 11 July and New Zealand at Eden Park the following week in the other summer fixtures.
Losing both Doris and O'Brien is a blow for Farrell, who is also without fly-half Jack Crowley and key prop Andrew Porter. Doris limped off in the seventh minute of the game but returned to lift the URC trophy and join in the celebrations with his team-mates at full-time.