Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have to plan without Tadgh Beirne for the opening two rounds of the Six Nations.
The Munster man has been ruled out of the games with England and Scotland with a knee injury. He was forced off early during the 9-7 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup. Connacht’s Quinn Roux has been drafted in as a result.
Leinster’s Adam Byrne will travel with the rest of the squad to Portugal. It's after Andrew Conway picked up a knock against Exeter at the weekend that will keep him sidelined from training this week.
It’s hoped Conway will be fully fit to train next week. Jack Conan will not travel to the training camp. He will instead continue his treatment at Leinster this week with a view to being fully fit to train next week.
Ireland jet off for Portugal training camp
Rob Kearney and Jack McGrath will also stay in Dublin and play with Leinster in order to gain game time in the Guinness PRO14 this weekend.
The province quickly turn their attention to facing Scarlets having overcome Wasps at the weekend. That victory set up a date with Ulster in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Ireland kick-start the defense of their six Nations title by facing England at the Aviva Stadium on February 2nd.
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