Eric O'Sullivan has been called up to the Ireland squad ahead of this weekend's Autumn Nations Cup game against Georgia.
The Ulster prop comes into the squad as cover after Ed Byrne experienced a calf problem ahead of the game against England at the weekend.
"It's obviously a specialised position and we need specialist cover," explained Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby.
"Eric has been doing really well up in Ulster and we're happy with his progress. It's a great opportunity for us to see him up close."
The 24-year-old Dubliner is the only new addition to the group.
"It's always a question that gets thrown around," said Easterby when asked if any other players had been considered for call-ups.
"It's really important that we back the players we selected originally. This is another test match. There are players going well with their provinces and putting their hands up.
"There are also players training well who haven't had the opportunities with us. The squad we selected originally was a squad we felt could take us through the games to the end of the Six Nations and into these autumn games. We wanted do that justice and not pick from outside the group."
Ireland malfunctioned badly in the lineout against England. Asked what is the root of the problem, Easterby responded:
"We're continually trying to grow experience and leadership in that group.
"We had a couple of young players in there, Ronan [Kelleher] making his first start at Twickenham - he's done really across the board over the last six weeks.
"We had a number of challenges in there from the opposition as well as making sure we get our own drills in order.
"We felt we had a good preparation but it's different when the pressure comes on and the challenges are laid down, that's when we find out a little bit more about players.
"We needed to strip back some of the options that we had. We'll look to implement those over the next couple of weeks."
See Also: Burns Family WhatsApp Group Saw Billy's Play Coming
