Finlay Bealham ruled out with Covid as Ireland’s prop depth suffers another blow

Ireland’s preparations for the first Test against New Zealand have been disrupted after replacement tighthead prop Finlay Bealham tested positive for Covid and was thus ruled out of the game. As a consequence, Cian Healy switches to number 17 and Tom O’Toole has been added to the bench.

As an aside, the connecting flight from Doha which was bringing late call-up Ed Byrne (and many fans including Josh van Der Flier’s parents) has been delayed only by an estimated 11 hours, meaning they will land in Auckland after the match.

With Byrne unable to take part in the warm-up, the former Leinster prop Michael Bent, who now plays with Taranaki, was brought in as one of the additional players.

However, it’s doubtful that Bent has played in the last 12 months.

Joe McCarthy, another Bakkies Botha in the making?

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Blue bloods: IRFU ‘national’ contract system will continue to load the dice in Leinster’s favour

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Darragh Ó Sé: You can’t tell me Kerry and Cork players have championship adrenaline this week

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Ronan O’Gara’s role as pantomime villain added further fuel to Leinster fire

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Meanwhile, although the IRFU have yet to confirm it, James Hume will be returning home after sustaining a torn groin in the midweek game against the Maori All Blacks and his Ulster teammate Stuart McCloskey has been called up as a midfield replacement.