31 May 2010

McLaughlin out of rugby tour of NZ

11:51 am on 31 May 2010

Flanker Kevin McLaughlin is injured and will miss Ireland's upcoming rugby tour of New Zealand and Australia.

McLaughlin's absence means Ireland will now be missing three key players on their travels Down Under with Lions captain Paul O'Connell and Ulster hooker Rory Best ruled out of contention last week.

McLaughlin misses out after picking up a knee injury in Leinster's Celtic League grand final defeat against the Ospreys on Sunday.

Following the Barbarians this weekend Ireland meet the All Blacks in New Plymouth on June 12th then the New Zealand Maori six days later.

They round off the trip with a Test against Australia in Brisbane on June 26th.