Ireland's Kearney ruled out of Scotland clash
Rob Kearney has been ruled out of Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland, paving the way for Simon Zebo to continue at full-back.
Kearney missed Saturday's 58-15 win over Italy with hamstring trouble and after further assessment on Monday, Ireland have been forced to admit defeat in the British and Irish Lion's fitness bid.
Uncapped Munster flyer Andrew Conway has joined Ireland's squad as cover ahead of Saturday's final Six Nations game at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
Zebo deputised for Kearney in Saturday's nine-try thumping of Italy and is now in line for the number 15 shirt again as Ireland chase victory over Scotland to line up a third-place finish.
"Rob Kearney's hamstring hasn't recovered sufficiently and he will not be involved in Ireland camp this week," the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced in a statement.
Head coach Joe Schmidt had hoped to have Kearney fit again for Scotland's visit to Dublin, as Ireland seek to ease a disappointing campaign with a second victory this weekend.
Schmidt had anticipated Kearney overcoming his injury when quizzed over the 29-year-old's fitness in the wake of the easy victory over Italy.