Ireland stars Paul O'Connell and Rory Best have been ruled out of their country's forthcoming tour to New Zealand and Australia through injury.
British and Irish Lions captain O'Connell was named in Declan Kidney's 33-man party despite receiving intravenous antibiotics for a groin problem.
But the 30-year-old Munster lock, who suffered the injury during Ireland's final Six Nations game against Scotland, has failed to recover in time and is replaced by Ulster's Ed O'Donoghue.
Ulster hooker Best had missed most of the season after undergoing surgery on a serious neck injury last year, but returned ahead of schedule to play a part in the Six Nations.
However an ankle injury has ruled the 27-year-old out and he is replaced by Leinster's John Fogarty.
Ireland, already without Stephen Ferris, Denis Leamy and Luke Fitzgerald, prepare for their trip with a clash against Barbarians at Thomond Park before meeting New Zealand in New Plymouth on June 12.
They will than face the New Zealand Maori on June 18 before rounding off the trip with a Test against Australia in Brisbane on June 26.
