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Fitzgerald out of Springbok series

Cape Town - Injury has cut short Luke Fitzgerald's chance of touring South Africa with Ireland next month.

The experienced utility back has been ruled out due to a knee problem aggravated during last weekend's PRO12 final defeat for Leinster to Connacht.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt may now turn to one of the Connacht players, Matt Healy or Tiernan O'Halloran, to replace Fitzgerald for the tour.

"Unfortunately Luke Fitzgerald picked up a knee injury in the game and he will be replaced," said Schmidt.

"Due to Luke picking up the knee injury, one of those Connacht players is likely to be in the frame to be his replacement.

"One of the advantages with Matt is that he's a left-footed left winger and like-for-like with Luke. He's certainly a guy who's in contention."

The Springboks play Ireland in Cape Town (June 11), Johannesburg (June 18) and Port Elizabeth (June 25).

Ireland squad:

Forwards

Finlay Bealham, Rory Best (captain), Sean Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie Heaslip (vice-captain), Iain Henderson, David Kilcoyne, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Sean Reidy, Mike Ross, Quinn Roux, Rhys Ruddock, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner

Backs

Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Kieran Marmion, Luke Marshall, Conor Murray, Stuart Olding, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, (one more player TBA).

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