Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy have been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations Round 2 clash vs Scotland at Murrayfield.
Tighthead prop Furlong and lock McCarthy both missed Saturday’s 27-22 victory over England in Dublin due to respective calf and head injuries, but were thought to be in the mix for this weekend.
The duo have now officially been declared out by Ireland.
“The game will come too soon (for Furlong and McCarthy),” scrum coach John Fogarty told media.
Joe McCarthy (right) will miss both of Ireland’s opening Six Nations clashes due to a head injury
There is better news for interim head coach Simon Easterby elsewhere in the squad, as tighthead Finlay Bealham and wing Mack Hansen have both come through training despite suffering knocks against England.
Bealham, who started in place of Furlong in the Test, had to be helped from the field after a nasty twist of his knee and ankle, while Hansen played with strapping to his leg and was forced to limp from the pitch at one stage.
“They trained just now and it looks positive for both,” Fogarty said of Connacht pair Bealham and Hansen.
“They took part in the full session. They should be (ready), they looked good today, they both trained.
“They’ll be looked at again and there’ll be a medical (on Thursday) as well.”
Tighthead prop Finlay Bealham has trained since limping off injured vs England in a boost for Simon Easterby (right)
After beginning their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory, Ireland are due at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon.
With Furlong still unavailable and Tom O’Toole set to complete a six-game ban this weekend, the positive update on Bealham is a major boost for Easterby.
Ireland fought from behind to beat England 27-22 at the Aviva Stadium in the Six Nations
Leinster rookie Tom Clarkson, who replaced Bealham against England after making his Test debut in November, and uncapped Connacht prop Jack Aungier are Ireland’s other options for the number three jersey.
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