The loss of Trimble has left Ireland short of options in midfield following Gordon D’Arcy’s withdrawal earlier in the week.

D’Arcy was forced to undergo further surgery on the broken arm he sustained in February’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy.

That leaves skipper Brian O’Driscoll as the only dedicated centre, although his Leinster team-mate Shane Horgan has Test experience in the number 12 jersey.

Connacht’s Gavin Duffy has also played in midfield, although he has been viewed as a utility player by Ireland in the past.

Luke Fitzgerald has been hailed as the long-term successor to O’Driscoll at outside centre but it is unlikely the Leinster rookie will be on front line duty against the All Blacks or Wallabies.

Trimble has won the majority of his caps on the wing but views his Test future in the position where he finished the Six Nations.

Munster’s Ian Dowling has been called up to plug the gap left by Trimble’s exclusion.

Interim Ireland coach Michael Bradley, who is overseeing the tour with Declan Kidney taking over upon completion, has named an initial 37-strong squad.

That will be reduced to a final party of 30 after the clash with the Barbarians on May 27, with the omitted seven players linking up with the ’A’ squad for the Churchill Cup.

Munster face Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final three days before the Barbarians fixture and their players will join the touring party after the Kingsholm tune-up.

Bradley has overlooked London Irish skipper Bob Casey for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia, despite his role in helping the Exiles to the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Leinster veteran Malcolm O’Kelly gets the opportunity to add to his 91 caps with Alan Quinlan offering second row cover to Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll.

Shane Jennings is the beneficiary of Simon Easterby’s international retirement with the Leinster openside included in the senior touring party.

Bradley said: “New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most challenging places to tour and to win test matches.

“After that we have a game against an Australian side that will have the fresh input of a new coach and are always among the top sides in the world.

“We are travelling on the tour with a strong squad conscious of the fact that IRB world ranking points are available and that is what we are playing for.”