The eve-of-match Covid scare which had led to Irish players being isolated and their participation in Saturday’s Test against New Zealand has been resolved, with the player seemingly having had a false positive in his initial test.
In a statement the IRFU said: “PCR testing carried out earlier today of the Ireland men’s squad and management team has produced no positive Covid results.
“The player in question and an identified close contact were immediately isolated from the remainder of the group when the issue arose and lateral flow and PCR testing of the entire squad and management was carried out.
“The individual who produced a positive test has subsequently had two PCR tests at two separate labs, returning negative results on both.
“The player and the identified close contact have been cleared by public health and the tournament organisers to take their places in the match day squad.”
The Ireland squad will thus line out as named earlier this week.
IRELAND (v New Zealand, Saturday, Aviva Stadium, 3.15pm): Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Andrew Conway (Munster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Leinster, capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster); Iain Henderson (Ulster), James Ryan (Leinster); Caelan Doris (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).
Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster).
NEW ZEALAND: Jordie Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili.
