Ireland have been dealt a major setback ahead of the opening Six Nations fixture of their title defence after prop Tadhg Furlong was ruled out due to injury.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Sunday.

Ireland have suffered a major blow ahead of their Six Nations opener against England next weekend with talismanic prop Tadhg Furlong ruled out of the clash through injury. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday because of injury.

IRELAND TIGHTHEAD PROP Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England in Dublin due to a recurrence of his calf injury. Connacht’s uncapped Jack Aungier has been called up to the Ireland senior squad for the first time in place of Furlong.