Prop Dave Kilcoyne has been scheduled for neck surgery. He will be unable to play in the remainder of the season or Ireland’s tour through New Zealand.
Since suffering the injury against Scotland on the last day of the Six Nations, the 33-year old has not played.
This news comes as Ireland’s Test dates against the All Blacks for their three-match series have been confirmed.
The first match will be in Auckland on July 2nd, before the sides face off in Dunedin one week later.
The final Test will be held at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on 16 July. Ireland will play two midweek fixtures which have yet to be finalised.
Andy Farrell will be Andy Farrell’s first overseas tour as head coach. Their 2020 tour to Australia was cancelled, along with the three-Test series in Fiji in 2021.
Ireland lost 3-0 in New Zealand’s last tour in 2012, but has had recent success against the All Blacks. They have won three of the five last meetings, including a win over the All Blacks. November’s stirring victoryDublin.
New Zealand vs Ireland Summer 2022 Test Series fixtures
All kick-offs 08 05 BST
2 July – Auckland
9 July – Dunedin
16 July – Wellington