DUBLIN – Ireland faces a significant setback as it prepares to defend its Six Nations title this Sunday, with prop Tadhg Furlong officially ruled out due to injury for their opening match against England.

The 32-year-old front-row player has suffered a relapse of a calf injury sustained during training in Portugal, preventing him from participating in Saturday’s game in Dublin.

To address the absence of Furlong, the Irish team has brought in Jack Aungier as his replacement.

Ireland aims to achieve a historic feat by becoming the first nation to claim the championship outright for three consecutive years.