Munster's Roman Salanoa drafted into Ireland squad

Munster's Roman Salanoa has been drafted into the Ireland squad for the Six Nations opener against Wales after Tadhg Furlong was ruled out of the game on Thursday.

Tighthead prop Furlong hasn't played since December due to a calf injury, but he had been on track to start after training fully this week.

A late knock shattered those ambitions, with Finlay Bealham brought in to start instead. Ulster’s Tom O’Toole provides back-up from the bench, and the uncapped Salanoa will now be used as extra cover in Cardiff on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Hawaii-born ex-American footballer played for the USA at the 2016 World Rugby U-20 Trophy tournament. He first came to Ireland later that year, making his way through Leinster's academy before moving to Munster in 2020.

He was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that toured South Africa last September.