Paul O'Connell ruled out of tour

Published Thursday, 31 May 2012
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Paul O'Connell has lost his fitness battle ahead of Ireland's tour of New Zealand in June.

Paul O'Connell ruled out of tour
Ireland's Paul O'Connell is ruled out of the tour (© Getty)

The Munster lock, who captained Ireland in this year's RBS 6 Nations Championship while Brian O'Driscoll recovered from shoulder surgery, has not fully recovered from a knee injury.

He had been undergoing rehabilitation in London.

In a statement the Irish Rugby Football Union said O'Connell "failed to progress to the level required to allow him take an active part in the tour."

Connacht forward Mike McCarthy has been added to the squad as further cover in the back five area of the forwards.

O'Connell is the third player to miss out on the All Blacks clash due to injury, following Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris and Leinster scrum-half Isaac Boss.

Ireland will face the All Blacks in Auckland on 9 June, followed by further Test matches in Christchurch and Hamilton on 16 and 23 June.

The full squad of 30 players will arrive in Auckland on Friday evening.

© UTV News
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