Ireland have been hit with a further injury blow with the news that Rory Best is set to miss Saturday evening's game against South Africa with a calf injury.
The hooker has been receiving treatment for the injury he picked up in training last week, but reports say he has now been ruled out of Saturday's encounter.
In Best's absence, it now looks likely that Sean Cronin will start for Ireland on Saturday, with Richardt Strauss expected to be on the bench.
Best now joins fellow front-rows Cian Healy, Marty Moore, Nathan White and James Cronin on the treatment table, but Joe Schmidt's scrummaging options have been boosted with the return to training of Mike Ross this week.
The Leinster tight-head has missed the province's last three games with a groin injury, but is expected to be fit for Saturday's game.
Racing Metro's Johnny Sexton is also expected to be available, after a hamstring problem forced him off at half-time in Racing Metro's defeat to Oyonnax at the weekend.
