Ireland lose another No.8: Sean Jansen ruled out as injury toll adds up

Ireland’s back-row resources have suffered another significant blow ahead of this weekend’s Nations Championship clash with Fiji after Sean Jansen was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament through injury.

The No.8 becomes the latest casualty in an increasingly lengthy injury list, with Ireland already without first-choice back-row pair Caelan Doris and Jack Conan.

The IRFU confirmed on Monday that Jansen will return to his province after sustaining a knee injury, leaving Ireland further depleted in the back-row department at a time when squad depth is being tested. Jansen’s exit could mean that James McNabney is promoted into the matchday squad, with Nick Timoney potentially moving to No.8 after starting on the openside against Los Pumas.

Jansen’s absence comes as Ireland continue preparations for Saturday night’s meeting with Fiji at the Aviva Stadium.

There was further concern for head coach Andy Farrell after captain Dan Sheehan sustained a concussion during Ireland’s 42-12 victory over Argentina. The hooker will now undergo the mandatory 12-day return-to-play protocol, ruling him out of this weekend’s fixture.

Ireland are also monitoring the fitness of Rob Baloucoune and Josh van der Flier.

Baloucoune suffered cramp while Van der Flier is managing an ankle issue, although the management remain hopeful both players will be available for selection.

In more positive news, Bundee Aki is expected to resume full training on Tuesday after illness forced his late withdrawal from the squad that defeated Argentina.

Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and Ulster back-row David McCann have been drafted into training with the senior squad this week as Ireland’s injury list continues to mount, although there’s no room for Munster’s Gavin Coombes.

The team to face Fiji will be named at 2 pm on Thursday, with the IRFU saying that Saturday’s fixture is expected to be played in front of at least 45,500 people, and may yet sell out.

Meanwhile, Ireland XV have also been hit by a number of injury setbacks ahead of their fixture against Fiji ‘A’ in Cork.

Tom Ahern (neck), Ethan McIlroy (thumb) and Michael Milne (ankle) have all been ruled out of the contest at Virgin Media Park on November 20.

Fineen Wycherley, Todd Lawlor and Jeremy Loughman have been called up as replacements.

The Ireland XV squad will assemble in Cork on Monday, November 16 ahead of the Fiji ‘A’ encounter, which forms part of a double-header that also includes an Ireland U20 clash against Scotland, kicking off at 5pm before the senior development fixture later that evening.