Sean O'Brien looks set to miss tomorrow's final November test against Australia. Both O'Brien and Jared Payne sat out today's captain's run and it was reported that a decision would be made on their readiness to play tomorrow morning.

Balls understands that O'Brien has been deemed not fit to play.

It is expected that Josh Van der Flier will take O'Brien's place in the starting lineup. He joins CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip in the back row.

Peter O'Mahony has been upgraded to the bench. He met up with the squad last night. Both he and Rory Scannell had been kept with the squad as cover.


O'Brien missed the win over New Zealand in Chicago but was one of Ireland's most impressive performers last week as Ireland lost 21-9 in Dublin.

The New Zealand Herald described O'Brien's performance last week as "scarcely believable."