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Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Conan to miss Ireland Tests against South Africa
By PA
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and back-rower Jack Conan will miss Ireland’s two-Test series against world champions South Africa.
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First-choice number nine Gibson-Park is ruled out by a hamstring injury, while Leinster team-mate Conan is unavailable due to personal reasons.
Andy Farrell has handed a first senior call up to Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu and included uncapped Leinster pair Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast in a 35-man squad captained by Peter O’Mahony.
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Ireland take on the Springboks on Saturday, July 6 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and seven days later at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
With full-back Hugo Keenan absent for the tour due to his participation in his country’s rugby sevens squad at the Paris Olympics, Jimmy O’Brien makes a timely return from injury having sat out as Ireland retained the Guinness Six Nations earlier this year.
Hooker Rob Herring is also back after missing the championship triumph but Connacht wing Mack Hansen remains sidelined, while Ulster lock Iain Henderson is out after undergoing toe surgery.
Connacht scrum-half Caolin Blade, who has two international caps, benefits from the absence of the influential Gibson-Park.
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Ireland have won the last three meetings between the nations, including a 13-8 success during the pool stage at last year’s World Cup in France.
Yet the Springboks went on to retain the Webb Ellis Cup by beating New Zealand, who eliminated the Irish at the quarter-final stage, in the final.
Head coach Farrell said: “Travelling to South Africa to play a Test series against the defending world champions provides no greater test for us, and it is another valuable opportunity for us to further grow and develop from the Guinness Six Nations.
“The group understands the need to hit the ground running, ensuring we are the best version of ourselves for the challenge ahead.”
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Ireland’s squad will meet in Dublin on Thursday to prepare for the tour before departing for Johannesburg next Tuesday.
Skipper O’Mahony said: “I am proud to be asked to lead Ireland in South Africa, a country which provides one of the toughest challenges in world rugby.
“As reigning world champions, South Africa will provide the sternest of tests and we know that we will have to perform at a high level to get the results we want.
“There’s a lot of respect and familiarity between both countries in recent years at international and club levels, since they were invited to join the URC (United Rugby Championship) and European Cup competitions, and we know the challenge that awaits.”
Will be interesting to see how they get on without JGP. Murray has a good game every so often as older players do, but not two games in a row and I would be worried for Casey.
Its a shame both sides are going to be missing a good few first choices.
I see the lack of some stars as very positive. Its not RWC. The chance for both sides to test the depth of their squads. I'm really looking forward to these tests
Shouldn't be a problem for the world's best rugby team.
Not a hint of sarcasm. In to ryle up people up.
Saffers are currently ranked no1 and some of the ultra arrogant t0ssers from your lot seem to think you have it in the bag. Shouldn’t be a problem. Ireland a piece of cake for the Springboks as usual!
Gibson Park was played out of the game against the Bulls. Ireland might have looked for a better option against the Boks anyway.
Unfortunately JGP was invisible at Loftus, and that’s the kind of thing that Rassie would double click on.
WE missed him in the closing stages against the Bulls. Bulls should have been further ahead but they were vulnerable at 20-20 and it took a piced of brilliance by Peterson to win. JGP may have made the difference then
woa, Gibson Park is a massive loss for them. Can’t see them winning without that man tbh
He had taken up a lot of responsibility as the new 10 beds in. It will hurt Ireland at 9 and 10. He may have to use Murray + another due to kicking requirements especially at Loftus.
He’ll be 36 at the next World Cup so I suppose they need to give someone else the odd big game eventually. It’ll make July’s job a whole lot tougher though, he’s so integral to how they play.