Williams ruled out of Irish series

Ali Williams gives some direction during All Blacks training last week. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Auckland lock Ali Williams' failure to recover from a recent ankle injury has forced a late re-shuffle of Graham Henry's All Blacks squads.

Williams has been withdrawn from the upcoming Irish series with Canterbury's Chris Jack taking his place.

Jack was originally given time-off to recover from the Super 14 season and was included in the starting 15 for the one-off test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

But Williams suffered an ankle strain in training 10 days ago in Auckland.

Jack and Williams swap places with Williams now in the side preparing for the Buenos Aires test on June 24.

He is expected to resume training next week.

With the change in locking personnel confirmed, the All Blacks have 24 players in camp to prepare for the first test against Ireland in Hamilton on Saturday.

The other locks in the squad to face Ireland are Auckland newcomer Greg Rawlinson who is expected to make his debut in Hamilton.

The other is Troy Flavell who is returning to test rugby after a five-year absence.

The All Blacks play a second test against Ireland at Eden Park on June 17.

The All Blacks and Irish squads will be named this afternoon.

- NZPA