Fitzpatrick set to face All Blacks

Uncapped Ulster tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick is set for a baptism of fire against the All Blacks with Mike Ross being confirmed as a major doubt for the first test at Eden Park on Saturday.

Leinster prop Ross, a cornerstone of the Irish pack for the past two seasons, has been struggling with a hamstring problem since the RaboDirect Pro12 final loss to the Ospreys 10 days ago.

The Cork native was forced from the field in the 14th minute of that game and has been struggling with the injury ever since.