Keith Wood has lost his race against time to be fit enough to captain Ireland when they meet Australia on Saturday week.
Wood has not played since Ireland's World Cup qualifying defeat of Russia in September but was included in the Ireland squad announced earlier this week having requested as much time as possible to prove his fitness.
However, Wood's long-standing neck injury will again sideline the Harlequins hooker, who has missed six of Ireland's last 10 internationals.
Leinster's Shane Byrne will deputise for Wood in the front-row, with Frankie Sheahan earning a call-up to the bench.
Anthoney Foley, who captained Ireland against Georgia five weeks ago in Wood's absence, is likely to lead Ireland out at Lansdowne Road.
Meanwhile, Leicester flyer Geordan Murphy has been called into the squad to act as cover for left-wing Denis Hickie.
Hickie damaged a hand in Leinster's Celtic League defeat of Bridgend last Saturday and is not certain of recovering in time to face the Australians.
The Irish medical staff will make a decision on Hickie's injury over the next few days in advance of the team being named on Tuesday.