Ireland hit by Flannery injury blow

The Munster front row sustained the damage in training and a scan revealed he will be out for up to six weeks.

Sean Cronin will fill the vacancy on the bench for Saturday’s Pool C clash with Australia at Eden Park, with Damien Varley called up to complete the 30-man squad.

Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Cian Healy have been recalled to the side. Four changes have been made to the XV that secured an unconvincing 22-10 victory over the United States, with Eoin Reddan’s selection ahead of Conor Murray completing the new arrivals.

European player of the year O’Brien has been picked at openside after completing his rehabilitation from the knee injury which has kept him sidelined since August 20.

Kearney has not played for a month because of a groin strain but is restored at full-back in place of Geordan Murphy, while Healy is fit again after sustaining an eye injury against England two and a half weeks ago.

Apart from the absence of David Wallace, who was ruled out of the World Cup with a knee problem, coach Declan Kidney has named his strongest side to face the Wallabies.