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Ireland Prepares for South Africa Series Amid Key Player Absences

Posted : 20 June 2024

As the Springboks finalize their preparations for their first match since retaining the Rugby World Cup last October, a 35-man Ireland squad will convene in Dublin on Thursday to prepare for the upcoming two-match series in South Africa between the top two rugby nations.

 

For the Irish players and coaching staff, this buildup might feel like uncharted territory. Leinster's repeated failures to secure a trophy in both the Investec Challenge Cup and the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, coupled with Munster's semifinal defeat and a lack of Irish representation in the URC final, have dampened spirits.

 

Ireland coach Andy Farrell witnessed Munster's struggles and subsequently reviewed Leinster's disappointing performance against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria, which would have been a concerning watch.

 

Adding to their challenges, Farrell will have to navigate the series starting in Pretoria on July 6 without one of his most influential players, scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, who is sidelined due to injury. Further complicating matters, Leinster No. 8 Jack Conan will miss the tour for personal reasons, and Connacht winger Mack Hansen is out with a shoulder injury.

 

Additionally, fullback Hugo Keenan is unavailable as he is participating in the Irish Sevens challenge at the Paris Olympics. To bolster the squad, Farrell has called up three uncapped players: Leinster backs Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast, and Ulster loose-forward Cormac Izuchukwu.

 

Despite these new additions, the absence of Gibson-Park, described as the "high-tempo heartbeat of an ambitious Ireland attack," will significantly impact Ireland's chances and contribute to the sense that they are starting this series at a disadvantage.

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