Backrower Alan Quinlan and centre Luke Fitzgerald were have been ruled out of selection for the Ireland team to play Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

A team spokesman said although Quinlan (thigh) and Fitzgerald (ankle) had responded well to rehabilitation programs, their projected recovery times meant they would not be available to play against the Wallabies.

The spokesman said Ulster backrower Stephen Ferris had already been called into the squad as cover for Munster's Quinlan, but no replacement was being sought by the team management for Leinster's Fitzgerald.

Ferris pulled out of the Irish A team for the Churchill Cup tournament and flew to join the Ireland squad in Melbourne on Sunday.

Fitzgerald withdrew from the Ireland team that went down 21-11 to New Zealand in Wellington last Saturday and was replaced by Paddy Wallace.

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