Jackson ruled out of tour; Madigan gets call-up

Paddy Jackson will miss Ireland’s summer tour to Argentina due to a stress fracture in his lower back.

The Ulster fly-half has been battling the problem for some time, but the injury has deteriorated and he will miss next month’s two-Test series against the Pumas.

Leinster playmaker Ian Madigan has been handed an almost-immediate reprieve for the summer tour after failing to make the initial cut.

Madigan was scheduled to tour Romania with the Emerging Ireland squad after Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt opted to take just two fly-halves to Argentina.

Now the 25-year-old will replace Jackson for the Tests against Argentina in Resistencia on June 7 and Tucuman on June 15.

Ireland boss Schmidt has rested a host of frontline stars for the summer tour, but resisted temptation to hand Racing Metro fly-half Johnny Sexton a break.

Ulster and Ireland hope rest will resolve Jackson’s issue, and are keen to avoid the 22-year-old having to undergo surgery.

Jackson is expected to make a full recovery for the start of next season.