Ireland captain Niamh Briggs has been ruled out of Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 on home soil after injuring her Achilles in training.
The full-back had recovered from the hamstring injury that had restricted her to just one test appearance in the last 16 months and was excited by the "once in a generational thing" to not only play in a home Women's Rugby World Cup but to captain her country.
"Both the players and the management are really disappointed for Niamh as everyone has seen the incredible work and effort she's put in over the last number of months in an attempt to get herself right for this tournament," said Ireland coach Tom Tierney.
"For her to have recovered well from her hamstring injury and then suffer a new injury is really unfortunate for her, as everyone knows how much she was looking forward to leading the team in the World Cup."
Louise Galvin will replace Briggs in the 28-strong squad wtih Tierney to name a replacement captain in the coming days.
Ireland will face France, Australia and Japan in Pool C in Dublin before the tournament moves to Belfast for the play-off matches.
The hosts aren't the only particpating nation to have made changes in the last week with Italy losing Claudia Salvadego to injury and calling up Elisa Bonaldo in her place, while USA turned to Tess Feury after Annakaren Pedraza and Ireland's Pool C rivals France replaced the injured Jessy Tremouliere with Camille Grassineau.