O’Mahony gets Ireland call in place of O’Brien

Ireland’s continuing injury misery will provide Munster back row Peter O’Mahony with his starting Test debut tomorrow against Scotland as his province received a fitness boost from captain Paul O’Connell.

The promotion of O’Mahony, 22, to the starting XV arose from yesterday’s withdrawal of Sean O’Brien, whose run at openside flanker has come to a halt after a skin infection on his foot failed to recover as quickly as expected, although Ireland manager Mick Kearney said he should be available for the final game of the campaign next week against England.

O’Brien’s absence compounds the loss of captain O’Connell and scrum-half Conor Murray after both were ruled out of the championship having picked up knee injuries in the 17-17 draw against France last Sunday in Paris.