Ireland flanker Dan Leavy is set to miss Saturday’s match with New Zealand due to general tightness.
The IRFU were unclear on the exact nature of Leavy’s injury but the Leinster flanker will be replaced by Josh van der Flier in the Ireland forward pack with Ulster’s Jordi Murphy moving onto the bench.
Leavy sat out both Thursday’s training session at Carton House as well as Friday’s captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium and represents yet another loss for Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt following Sean O’Brien’s withdrawal from the Ireland squad this week following a fractured arm against Argentina.
Meanwhile for New Zealand Ryan Crotty is the only change from the All Blacks side to beat England last weekend with the Crusaders centre coming into the starting side for Sonny Bill Williams who misses out with a shoulder joint injury. Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown moves onto the bench.
Crotty was the clear choice to replace Williams according to Hansen with his direct running and good decision making ultimately earning him the nod in the midfield
