Andy Farrell “gutted” for Robert Baloucoune after injury costs him New Zealand tour

"Gutted for him, absolutely."

Robert Baloucoune could have really announced himself to world rugby like Simon Zebo did, in New Zealand, a decade ago. Even with a 40-man squad, there were always going to be Irish players left disappointed by missing out on the summer tour to New Zealand. At first glance, most of the big names are heading south for the five-match tour, but players like Jack O'Donoghue, Stuart McCloskey, Ross Byrne and uncapped prospects like Alex Kendellen, Thomas Ahern, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore and Ethan McIlroy must all watch the action from afar. Ross Molony and Conor Oliver had fine seasons, but they also miss out. Andy Farrell also must do without four capped stars that would have contest Test spots, down in New Zealand. Munster pair Andrew Conway and Chris Farrell are still injured, while Rónan Kelleher is rehabbing his shoulder and Jack Carty has had wrist surgery. One player many Irish fans were excited to see take on the best of New Zealand rugby was Ulster winger Rob Baloucoune. The 24-year-old came off injured in Ulster's United Rugby Championship semi-final defeat to Stormers, and found out on Monday that he would miss the tour. [caption id="attachment_264165" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Robert Baloucoune celebrates with Ireland team-mates James Hume, Craig Casey and Hugo Keenan after scoring against the USA, in 2021. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]

"We wanted player like Robert Baloucoune involved" - Farrell

Robert Baloucoune made 17 appearances for Ulster, this season, and last appeared for Ireland in November 2021 when he started in a home win over Argentina. The Fermanagh native was on a real hot-streak, scoring 11 tries in his last 13 outings of a fantastic season with his province. On Baloucoune missing out, Farrell said:

"Yeah, it's a few things going on with his hip that's muscular. It's not structural damage, which is a good thing. The injury is set to be four to six weeks [recovery time]. "We had Rob in yesterday, waiting on results for that. Gutted for him, absolutely. We're gutted for ourselves as coaches because this is the type of tour that's made for people like Rob, to show his worth on the big stage. That's what the tour is all about. "For us, this is the start of our World Cup campaign, and we wanted players like Rob involved."

The Ireland coach was also crestfallen to lose out on Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher after it was deemed wiser to give his damaged shoulder time to recover after a stop-start season. Kelleher's misfortune opened the door for Connacht's Dave Heffernan. Of the other players that did not make the cut, Farrell was specifically asked about Munster back-row Jack O'Donoghue. The Waterford man had an outstanding season, but lost out in that scrap for a last slot with the likes of Ulster's Nick Timoney, Connacht's Cian Prendergast and his Munster teammate, Gavin Coombes. Asked if Jack O'Donoghue was in the conversation for a summer tour place, Andy Farrell said, "Of course. Everyone is in contention, especially the guys who are playing well. Jack is obviously one of them.

"He's in a very competitive position, and you look across who has been selected in those areas. I don't think you could complain about any of those that were selected, neither."

Farrell says he is excited about bringing his 40-man squad to 'probably the hardest place in world rugby to go to, and finding out a lot about ourselves'. The tour starts with a June 29 game against the Maori All Blacks, before the First Test against New Zealand on Saturday, July 2.

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