Tommy Bowe added to Ireland squad as two key players officially ruled out

The IRFU have confirmed the bad news about Andrew Trimble and piled on an extra bit of misery.

On Friday, Ireland will face off against a Wales side already out of the championship picture and with backs to the wall. They are playing for pride and could easily derail Ireland's championship challenge in a sell-out Principality Stadium. Ahead of the team's Monday training session, the union has confirmed two bad injuries to key men. Andrew Trimble, as reported earlier today, and Ultan Dillane are out for the remainder of the championship. The IRFU statement reads:

'Andrew Trimble sustained a hand injury against Treviso at the Kingspan Stadium on Friday night and has been ruled out of the final two rounds of the RBS 6 Nations Championship. 'Ultan Dillane will undergo surgery this week for an ongoing shoulder issue. He will be ruled out of action for 8 to 10 weeks.'

Dillane featured off the bench in the opening day loss to Scotland while Trimble played a key role in the home win over France. There is better news on Rob Kearney as he is expected to train fully tomorrow while Trimble's place in a squad that now consists of 35 men will go to fellow Ulsterman Tommy Bowe. Schmidt will name his 23-man squad for the Wales game on Wednesday afternoon.