Boss Declan Kidney has been hit by a number of high profile withdrawals which has forced him to name a clutch of uncapped players for the tests against the New Zealand and Australia – including Leinster centre Fergus McFadden.

But Gaffney also admits this could be the last time some of Ireland's more familiar names don the famous green jersey for a tour of the southern hemisphere.

"Obviously it's the last chance for a number of the guys, a number of them won't travel again for a tour like this," said Gaffney.

"I accept it's been a fantastic decade and more for this country, but there's a lot of talent coming through.

“I think there'll be a lot of boys who'll be coming through before the next World Cup, who haven't been mapped at this current time.

"This is very important tour for the likes of Fergus. He hasn't had much of an opportunity this year which has been a disappointment for him obviously and for us as well.

"He and the other boys will get a lot of time next year, on present indications they have a great chance of making the World Cup. Who knows what can happen after that."