Chris Henry ruled out of remainder of series with hamstring tear

Ireland backrow Chris Henry will miss the rest of the November international series after tearing his hamstring in Ireland's win over Samoa in the Aviva stadium last Saturday.

The Ulsterman was replaced by Seán O'Brien during the game and will be unavailable for between four and six weeks. Leinster openside Shane Jennings has been called into the Irish squad as a replacement.

Tommy Bowe also suffered a minor injury to his calf and although he did not take part in squad training on Monday, he is expected to be available for selection for Ireland's second game of the series against Australia on Saturday.

Although the resting of the Irish right wing is a precautionary measure Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald has been called into the squad by coach Joe Schmidt.

"Unfortunately Chris Henry suffered a hamstring tear on Saturday. So he will miss the rest of the Guinness Series and Shane Jennings has been called in as a replacement," said Irish manager Mick Kearney at the team base in Kildare.

“Tommy Bowe got a kick on his calf early in the game and was removed as a precaution. It’s sore and bruised and although he is likely to recover he is training today and Luke Fitzgerald has just been called in as a replacement.”

Kearney added that Johnny Sexton is also likely to come into the team to face the Wallabies.

“Johnny Sexton rested and rehabbed over the weekend,” said the Irish manager. “He is expected to train fully and be available for selection.”

Irish forwards coach John Plumtree said that he was largely pleased with the Irish performance against the Samoans but is in little doubt that Australia will be a significantly more difficult proposition.

“Samoa didn’t offer lot of contest. I was pleased to see some of aspects we’re working on come through, the maul in particular,” said Plumtree. “A little bit disappointed with one or two opportunities we didn’t take. But we’ve got to remember Australia are playing against New Zealand and the South Africans regularly,” he cautioned.