O'Connell and Sheahan pull out of internationals

Paul O’Connell and Frankie Sheahan have been forced to withdraw from the Ireland autumn international squad named today due to injury.

O’Connell had the plaster removed from his damaged hand and following examination it was decided that the injury has not healed sufficiently and will require surgery, which will rule him out for three to five weeks. No replacement will be added to the Irish squad.