Mack Hansen tests positive for covid  while Niall Scannell called up

Scannell is set to arrive in Auckland on Tuesday morning local time to provide additional cover after Rob Herring picked up a knock in training at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday. The Ulster hooker was set to be scanned on Monday alongside provincial team-mate and lock Iain Henderson who was also injured during the first major training session of the tour.

Hours after the All Blacks revealed that head coach Ian Foster, assistant John Plumtree and centres Jack Goodhue and David Havili had tested positive for Covid, Ireland revealed that possible Test starter Mack Hansen had also picked up the coronavirus.

Ireland’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s opening Test against New Zealand have been disrupted by injury and a positive Covid test result while Andy Farrell has added Munster hooker Niall Scannell to the tour squad.

Hours after the All Blacks revealed that head coach Ian Foster, assistant John Plumtree and centres Jack Goodhue and David Havili had tested positive for Covid, Ireland revealed that possible Test starter Mack Hansen had also picked up the coronavirus.