FARR OUT..

Reds centre Chris is Tests casualty

CHRIS FARRELL is the latest Ireland back to be ruled out of next month’s internationals.

His namesake Andy names his squad today for the Tests with Japan on November 6, New Zealand on November 13 and Argentina on November 21.

Following the news that Ulster full-back Will Addison suffered a leg fracture last weekend, the loss of experienced centre Farrell is a blow.

“He’s still a few weeks away,” said Munster head coach Johann van Graan on

Farrell, who is recovering from an abdominal injury.

“Our medical team are looking after him pretty well. Unfortunately that’s something that’s slow and we’re going to make sure he’s fully fit before he returns to squad training.

“I don’t want to put a specific time on it but we won’t see him before the end of November at the earliest.”

Ireland at least hope to have Robbie Henshaw (foot) and Johnny Sexton (hip flexor) available, if not for the Japan game then to face the All Blacks.

Lions star Henshaw (inset) has not played since the series against South Africa in the summer.

Farrell will also hope that James

Ryan fully recovers after another head knock last weekend. Another Leinster man, Will Connors, remains sidelined but Farrell is spoiled for choice in the back row with Jack Conan now a starting Lion.

Henshaw apart, the only returning Irish Lion not to play yet this season is Conor Murray and he is expected to see game time for Munster against Ospreys on Saturday.

“He’s had a very good off-season break, he’s gone through preseason and like any other player he’s got to train well on the pitch,” said van Graan.

Farrell has to weigh up the possibility of red-hot Ulster newcomer Nathan Doak coming in as one of his scrum-halves while he has interesting choices to make at out-half for the Test squad.

Sexton’s Leinster colleague Harry Byrne has recovered from a foot injury and will be in contention with his brother Ross, Ulster’s Billy Burns, in-form Jack Carty of Connacht and Munster’s Joey Carbery.

Carbery hasn’t kicked on as yet this season but, having given away a try late to Connacht on Saturday when Carty blocked down his clearing kick to score, the Athy man slotted over the winning conversion for the Reds.