Craig Gilroy called up to Ireland squad as Johnny Sexton misses out through injury

Ulster's Craig Gilroy has been called up to Ireland's squad for the tour of South Africa after Johnny Sexton was ruled out.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Jun 2016, 20:59 BST

Updated 2nd Jun 2016, 22:07 BST

Leinster fly-half Sexton suffered a shoulder injury during Saturday’s 20-10 Pro12 final defeat by Connacht and needed minor surgery.

Coach Joe Schmidt has also lost Luke Fitzgerald and Dave Kearney to injuries sustained at Murrayfield, and in a further blow Rob Kearney pulled up in training on Wednesday with a hamstring strain which will rule him out of the tour.

Ireland have called up Ulster star Gilroy, along with Matt Healy, Ian Madigan and the uncapped Tiernan O’Halloran as replacements.

The squad depart on Sunday and will play Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth on their first tour of South Africa since 2004.