Keith Dawson is out of Ireland's forthcoming three-test tour of the Americas. The London Irish flanker seriously damaged a hip muscle in his club's defeat to Saracens last Saturday and the initial prognosis is that he will be sidelined for eight weeks.

Dawson's emergence as a genuine international open-side made him a vital cog in a rejuvenated and transformed Irish side during the Six Nations Championship, and his absence is a potentially significant blow to a difficult, almost no-win tour, especially in the opener against Argentina in Buenos Aires on June 3rd. His absence is likely to mean that both Andy Ward and David Wallace will be chosen as the respective open-sides in the touring party, to be announced next Monday and likely to number 28 players.

He will also, of course, be sidelined for the remainder of London Irish's season, as most probably will Conor O'Shea, who sustained a knee injury in the same game. As things stand there are also doubts about David Humphreys especially, after his recent tonsil operation, and Brian O'Driscoll, sidelined with a torn hamstring.

Meanwhile, Eric Miller - having signed up with Ireland and Leinster for next season - will also be staying with AIB League semi-finalists Terenure College.