Sean Jansen ruled out as Ireland add McCann and McCarthy to squad

Ireland have lost Sean Jansen for the rest of their Nations Championship campaign after the number eight suffered a knee injury against Argentina. BBC Sport reported on Monday that the Connacht forward will return to his province for rehabilitation, leaving head coach Andy Farrell with another absence in a position already affected by injuries to Caelan Doris and Jack Conan.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-simd1PWnw

Jansen was forced off during Ireland’s 42-12 victory in Dublin on Friday. Uncapped Ulster forward David McCann has now been brought into the squad as Ireland deal with their back-row injury problems. Gus McCarthy has also joined the group at hooker, with Dan Sheehan unavailable for Saturday’s home match against Fiji after sustaining a concussion against Argentina.

Sheehan has been serving as squad captain while Doris is absent. He is also a doubt for the meeting with South Africa on 21 November because he must complete 12-day return-to-play protocols, according to the BBC report. His confirmed absence against Fiji and uncertain availability for the following fixture leave Ireland managing both a front-row selection issue and the loss of their stand-in captain.

There was more encouraging news elsewhere in the squad, although availability has not been confirmed for every player. The coaching staff are hopeful that wing Rob Baloucoune, who suffered cramp, and flanker Josh van der Flier, who has an ankle problem, will be available. Centre Bundee Aki is expected to return to full training on Tuesday after illness forced his late withdrawal from the Argentina match.

Farrell also said Mack Hansen had picked up an ankle problem against Argentina. However, BBC Sport noted that the winger was not mentioned in Monday’s Irish Rugby Football Union squad update. Ireland’s schedule includes home matches against Fiji and South Africa at Aviva Stadium before a finals-weekend fixture at Twickenham.

McCann and McCarthy had originally been selected for the Ireland XV match against Fiji A in Cork on 20 November. That squad has further injury withdrawals: Tom Ahern has a neck injury, Ethan McIlroy a thumb injury and Michael Milne an ankle injury. Fineen Wycherley, Todd Lawlor and Jeremy Loughman have been called up.