Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, was compelled to make a last-minute alteration to his 23-man squad for their Guinness Six Nations fixture against England, with Jack Conan unexpectedly withdrawn.
Cian Prendergast, a back-row forward from Connacht, has stepped in to replace Conan in the match day squad.
An official communication states: “There is one late adjustment to our Match Day Squad. Jack Conan has been ruled out due to illness, and Cian Prendergast will take his place on the bench.”
With neither Edwin Edogbo nor Cormac Izuchukwu having made the journey to London with the team, Ireland will enter the contest lacking a recognized second-row backup. Tadhg Beirne, who is starting at blindside flanker, will provide cover for any injuries in the lock position.
“We have some capable players who are accustomed to scrummaging in the second row,” Farrell commented earlier in the week when asked about this tactical selection.
“Any player with Edwin’s physique would be quite impactful in that area. I wonder, considering the magnitude of the occasion at Twickenham, whether a relatively new player coming on would have the stamina left in their legs for the final 10 minutes or not?
“There is a distinction in that regard, but I believe Joe McCarthy is sufficiently large and robust. Our forward unit this week is certainly committed to ensuring we dominate that specific aspect.”
England, recovering from a humbling defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield, has opted for a 6:2 split of forwards to backs on their bench, suggesting Steve Borthwick’s team is preparing for a physically intense battle.
REVISED IRELAND SQUAD: 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 10. Jack Crowley, 11. James Lowe, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Garry Ringrose, 14. Robert Baloucoune, 15. Jamie Osborne.
Substitutes: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Tom O’Toole, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Nick Timoney, 20. Cian Prendergast, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Tommy O’Brien.
