Rumoured Ireland target suffers setback ahead of Stormers game

Jonathan Roche, who is reportedly weighing his options up beyond the end of the season, is a late withdrawal from the Stormers’ starting XV for this weekend’s United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster at the DHL Stadium.

Stormers boss John Dobson had already made a number of changes in his original team selection, and has now been forced to field a different midfield pairing to the one planned. The nature and severity of Roche’s injury has not been disclosed.

Captain Ruhan Nel will now be partnered by young prodigy Markus Muller, who wears the No.12 jersey vacated by Roche, who is said to be attracting the attention of Irish provinces.

Roche is Irish-qualified and is being viewed as a potential solution to Ireland’s ageing midfield stock. The 23-year-old is eligible through his paternal grandmother.

Still a teenager, Muller was one of six uncapped players named in Rassie Erasmus’ 37-man Nations Championship squad earlier this week.

This is the second time Muller has stepped into Roche’s shoes, with the 19-year-old starting last week’s clash against the Scarlets, which the Stormers won 52-40. Muller played the full 80 minutes but failed to get on the scoresheet.

It was only his second appearance for the Stormers, having become the youngest debutant in the Stormers’ history when he came off the bench for a 14-minute cameo at 18 years, 9 months and 19 days.

Very soon, Muller could achieve a unique double by also becoming the Springboks’ youngest-ever debutant. If he plays in any of next month’s three Tests against Italy, France and Ireland, he will break Frans Steyn’s 20-year record.