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Ireland trio out of Autumn series, 3 more could follow


Ronan Kelleher and Johnny Sexton /PA
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Three Ireland internationals have been ruled out in Andy Farrell’s plans for the Autumn Nations Series this November after a brutal medical update from Leinster, with a potential for three more players to follow suit.

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Leo Cullen’s side have confirmed a number of new injuries concerns as they head into their URC derby clash with old enemies Munster.

A missive from the Irish province reveals fresh injuries to Ireland internationals Will Connors, Ronan Kelleher and Harry Byrne that will rule them out of the Autumn Nations Series entirely.

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While Leinster confirmed that Ciarán Frawley and Caelan Doris came through last weekend’s win over Connacht unscathed and that fullback Hugo Keenan was also battling his way back to fitness, there was less than promising news elsewhere.

“Unfortunately, there was less positive news on a number of other players,” read the statement. “Will Connors had a procedure last week for a bicep injury suffered against the Cell C Sharks and will be unavailable for up to 12 weeks.

“While Rónan Kelleher and Harry Byrne both suffered hamstring injuries and will be unavailable for up to eight weeks.”

Making matters worse are the growing fears around James Ryan, British & Irish Lions No.8 Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier. Of those three, the graveous concerns will be for Ryan, who suffered a nasty looking knee injury.

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“Jack Conan (eye), James Ryan (knee) and Josh van der Flier (ankle) require further assessment this week.

“There were no further updates on: James Lowe (calf), James Tracy (neck), Charlie Ryan (knee) and Tommy O’Brien (knee).”

Ireland will take on World Champions South Africa this November as the Springboks play in Dublin for the first time in five years. The two sides have not met since Ireland posted a record 38-3 victory against South Africa in 2017.

The men in green will then face Fiji in the second match of the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday 12th November before going head-to-head with the Wallabies a week later.

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NoLongerARuck 9 minutes ago
Jake White: Test rugby has changed a lot since I was Bok coach

Yeah rugby has changed alot and that has to do with the massive physical demands being placed on peak athletes and the professionalisation of the sport. Athletes these days are subject to strict conditioning standards and have to eat right, drink right, train right, rest right and play with the right technique. The phsical standards in rugby have become increasingly professionalised and rugbys athletes now compare with any top tier sport globally. Games are up, increased intensity of collisions, the effects of multiple collisions are now well known by medicine and the cumulative stress modern rugby takes on the body is well studied. Caps are not being handed out for fun, its become a necessity to rest and rotate or injuries can become inevitable. Some might argue that injuries are already inevitable for the modern rugby player, I struggle to name one who hasnt faced a serious career threatening injury. Stats have become more relevant and informs innovation. Innovation has become essential for success. Those who stand still achieve little. Coaching teams are ballooning because you have to find coaches that see the game differently and who can give you an edge. The inches now matter in rugby and is often the difference between success and failure. Players are increasingly becoming mercenaries, you go where the money is and your players play around the world. Rugby is no longer a regional game but is become increasingly globalised. The world cup matters most because it has become the ultimate success to win it. Its now the hardest comp in the world to win. Traditionalists want their players to play at home, they want fewer subs, the best players to play more, they want to maintain the sanctity of the the cap and they find stats hollow. They see the game that used to be and wonder where its gone. The game grew up, the game evolved and if you dont evolve with it you lose. It about time the traditionalists grew up.

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