Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson will miss Ireland's game against the United States on Saturday.
The Ulster star will miss the New Jersey encounter for "personal reasons" according to the Irish Independent. It will be the second time in the space of a year that Jackson will miss an Irish international match in America.
He was not part of the Ireland team that defeated New Zealand in Chicago. Joey Carbery took Jackson's place on the bench, and it is expected the Leinster player will deputise once more.
Jackson will join the squad next week in Japan, but his absence in New Jersey leaves Ireland short in such a crucial position. Carbery is the only fly-half currently part of the team.
With Carbery now expected to start in the Red Bull Arena on Saturday night, it looks likely that either Munster's Rory Scannell or Connacht's John Cooney will be the backup on the bench.
In eight matches between the two teams, Ireland have won each time. The teams last met four years ago in Houston, where Ireland won 15-12.
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