Late change for Ireland’s Test decider in Sydney as Sean Cronin drops out

What a shame for 'The Nugget'.

Sean Cronin has been ruled out of the third and final Test of Ireland's series Down Under. The Leinster hooker missed the Second Test in Melbourne but was brought in from the start for the deciding game in Sydney. He missed the captain's run on Friday but Ireland, at their final pre-match press briefing, he was not being officially ruled out. However, Georgina Robinson noted in the Sydney Morning Herald:

"Hooker Sean Cronin missed Ireland's captain's run and was seen walking into the imaging clinic next to Allianz Stadium on Friday afternoon before re-joining his teammates at the stadium, clutching an X-ray envelope."

That tight quad has indeed cost Cronin his place in the final Test and Joe Schmidt has promoted Munster's Niall Scannell to the No.2 jersey. Scannell started the Second Test, which Ireland won 26-21 at AAMI Park. Ulster's Rob Herring moves up to the bench and this is the updated Ireland team:

Rob Kearney Keith Earls Robbie Henshaw Bundee Aki Jacob Stockdale Johnny Sexton Conor Murray Jack McGrath Niall Scannell Tadhg Furlong Devin Toner James Ryan CJ Stander Peter O'Mahony (captain) Jack Conan

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, John Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Jordi Murphy, Kieran Marmion, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.