Tadhg Furlong and Jamie Osborne among four ruled out for Ireland ahead of Wallabies visit

Tadhg Furlong and Jamie Osborne are among four players who have been ruled out of Ireland's final Autumn Nations Series game against Australia on Saturday, while head coach Andy Farrell has trimmed his squad to assist with this weekend’s URC games.

Furlong had missed Ireland’s three previous games this month due to a hamstring injury, but will now have to sit out the entire November window after failing to regain full fitness.

Ryan Baird and Jacob Stockdale have also been ruled out. Baird is still following the return to play protocols after suffering a concussion in the win against Argentina earlier this month, while Stockdale suffered a hamstring injury during the 52-17 victory over Fiji last weekend.

Osborne was also injured in that game, with the versatile Leinster centre/full-back picking up a groin injury.

The 23-year-old had been involved in five games in a row since making his debut against South Africa this summer, and forwards coach Paul O’Connell (below) says he has become an influential person in the squad.

"He's a big loss, he's very versatile as well on the bench, he covers so many different positions," O’Connell said of Osborne.

"He's growing all the time and getting better all the time. It's a shame he's out. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and hopefully he's back to us soon."

The province have also released players back to the provinces, with Saturday’s game against Australia clashing with a round of games in the URC.

Ulster host Leinster on Friday (live on RTÉ Player), with Nick Timoney returning to the Ulster squad this week, while loosehead Jack Boyle has gone back to Leinster. Hooker Dave Heffernan has also left the Irish camp, and will be available for Connacht’s visit of the Bulls on Saturday (live on