Ireland rugby: Sean Jansen ruled out as Dan Sheehan misses Fiji Test

Ireland rugby has been hit by another back-row blow after Sean Jansen was ruled out of the rest of the Nations Championship. The Connacht number eight hurt his knee in Friday’s 42-12 win over Argentina. He will now return to his province to continue his rehabilitation.

The news came in a squad update from the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on Monday. Captain Dan Sheehan will also miss Saturday’s meeting with Fiji at Aviva Stadium after suffering a concussion. Kick-off in Dublin is at 8.10pm.

Ireland rugby injury news: Sean Jansen out

Jansen started at number eight against the Pumas, but his home debut ended after 46 minutes, according to BBC Sport. His injury adds to Andy Farrell’s problems in that position. Caelan Doris and Jack Conan were already missing for the whole November window.

The Ireland 42-12 Argentina win was a strong night for Farrell’s side. But it came at a cost. Jansen, Josh van der Flier, Mack Hansen and Rob Baloucoune all picked up knocks during the game.

The IRFU squad update confirmed that Baloucoune (cramp) and van der Flier (ankle) will be monitored over the coming days. Management are hopeful both will be available to face Fiji. Hansen was not mentioned in Monday’s medical bulletin.

Dan Sheehan misses Fiji Test

Sheehan captained Ireland against Argentina in the absence of Doris. He failed to return after a head injury assessment and will now follow a 12-day return-to-play protocol. That rules him out of the Fiji game.

The Leinster hooker is also a doubt for the visit of South Africa to Dublin on Saturday, 21 November. He recently dismissed talk of an Ireland decline as “nonsense” before the Argentina Test.

There was better news on Bundee Aki. The centre was a late withdrawal from the Argentina game because of illness. He is expected to return to full training on Tuesday.

McCann and McCarthy called up

Two players have been added to the squad to train this week. Ulster back-rower David McCann, who is uncapped, comes in to help cover the back row. Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy joins as extra cover for Sheehan.

Both men were originally named in the Ireland XV squad to play Fiji ‘A’ later this month. The Ireland team to face Fiji will be announced at 2pm on Thursday. The IRFU said ticket sales for Saturday’s match have passed 45,500.

Andy Farrell on managing the month

Farrell was already weighing up rotation before Monday’s update. He described November as “a tough old month”, in comments reported by The Irish Times.

“Weighing up the injuries and how that lies as well, because four games on the bounce at this stage of the season, you’ve got to manage that properly, creating competition along the way as well,” Farrell said.

“We know that international games are unbelievably taxing no matter who you’re playing, so the balance has got to be right for us over the course of the month.”

After Fiji and South Africa at Aviva Stadium, Ireland will travel to Twickenham for the Nations Championship finals weekend.

Ireland XV changes for Fiji A

The second-string Ireland XV squad has also lost three players. Tom Ahern (neck), Ethan McIlroy (thumb) and Michael Milne (ankle) are all ruled out of the game against Fiji ‘A’.

Munster pair Fineen Wycherley and Jeremy Loughman have been called up, along with Leinster’s Todd Lawlor. Head coach Mark Sexton’s squad will meet in Cork on Monday, 16 November.

That match is at Virgin Media Park on Friday, 20 November, with kick-off at 7.45pm. It is part of a double-header, with Ireland playing Scotland in an under-20 international at 5pm.

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