A couple of set-backs for key players but a wholly positive update.
Andy Farrell assembled his Ireland players at the IRFU High Performance Centre, today, ahead of a mini get-together for the Bank of Ireland Autumn Nations Series. Farrell’s Ireland team to face the Springboks in the opening match is starting to look clearer.
While Farrell must plan without the injured Rónan Kelleher, James Lowe, Andrew Conway, Iain Henderson, Keith Earls and the suspended Bundee Aki, there was more positive news on other players that were carrying slight knocks. The IRFU has issued the following update:
‘Joey Carbery (shoulder) will train fully this week while Ciaran Frawley (shoulder) will be managed across the week. The following players will be reintegrated to training this week Tadhg Beirne (adductor), Jamison Gibson Park (hamstring), Hugo Keenan (abdomen), Jacob Stockdale (ankle), Calvin Nash (dead leg).
‘Both Tadhg Furlong (ankle) and Peter O’Mahony (neck) will complete their rehab programmes and train later this week.  Craig Casey (groin) and Josh van der Flier (ankle) will continue their rehab this week.’
The update also stated the Ulster contingent of Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Rob Herring, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney and Kieran Treadwell have returned from South Africa and ‘will be managed over the coming days following the recent gastro issues experienced by the Ulster squad’.
On the latest House of Rugby [LISTEN from 28:00 below], hosts Greg O’Shea and Lindsay Peat discussed the latest round of games featuring Munster, Leinster and Connacht, and what it could mean for the upcoming Test window. They were also joined by Ian McKinley, and heard from Andrew Conway.
Tadhg Beirne of Ireland celebrates with Josh van der Flier after beating New Zealand, in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)Three changes predicted to starting Ireland team
There were always going to be changes to the last Ireland team that started, and defeated, the All Blacks, due to James Lowe’s foot injury and Bundee Aki’s suspension.
News that Josh van der Flier will not train fully this week, and continue to rehab, along with Craig Casey, now casts doubt on whether he will face South Africa. Andy Farrell will give the flanker until early next week to get out on the training pitches to prove his fitness.
If he does, expect him to make the starting XV. If not, Peter O’Mahony may be asked to switch to openside, while we predict Cian Prendergast could jump the queue for back-row back-up. Tadhg Furlong is so pivotal to Ireland’s hopes that the tighthead will be given that same time-frame, or even longer, to try prove his fitness for the November 5 encounter with the world champions.
PREDICTED IRELAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Rob Baloucoune
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11.Mack Hansen
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Jamison Gibson-Park1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Jacob Stockdale.
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