Dillane and Scannell out of Schmidt’s Japan plans

Ultan Dillane and Rory Scannell became the first players to be jettisoned from Ireland’s World Cup planning as Joe Schmidt’s training squad was trimmed ahead of Saturday’s opening summer Test against Italy.

Ireland will play the first of four warm-up internationals when they face the Six Nations rivals coached by Conor O’Shea at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, the opening fixture of two home Guinness Summer Series Test matches which also includes the visit of Wales to Dublin on Saturday, September 7.