Leavy to miss clash against Kiwis

Dan Leavy has been forced to withdraw from Ireland’s autumn clash with New Zealand due to “general tightness”.

Leavy’s Leinster team-mate Josh Van Der Flier will start at openside against the back-to-back world champions in Dublin instead, with Jordi Murphy stepping up to the bench.

An Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) spokesman confirmed Leavy had failed a fitness test at yesterday’s training session.

“Dan Leavy had a fitness test this morning and it was decided he was not 100%, so he will miss the match due to general tightness,” an IRFU spokesman confirmed.

Leavy failed to train fully on Thursday due to what head coach Joe Schmidt termed “full-body soreness” after last weekend’s 28-17 victory over Argentina in Dublin.

Now the 24-year-old has been withdrawn from Ireland’s starting XV for the clash between the world number one side New Zealand and the number two-ranked hosts.

Ireland are understood to have worked through a physical training session on Tuesday, in a bid to steel themselves to face Steve Hansen’s gritty All Blacks.

There is no suggestion Tuesday’s session contributed to Leavy’s injury, but skipper Rory Best admitted the only way to prepare to face New Zealand is to “gear up” physically.

“You know you’re going to have to be physical against New Zealand, there’s no doubt,” said Best.