Connacht prop Billy Bohan is in line to make his Ireland debut on Saturday, after confirmation that Jeremy Loughman has been ruled out of this week’s Nations Championship meeting with Japan.
Loughman suffered a head injury during the second half of Ireland’s 33-31 win against Australia at Allianz Stadium, and the IRFU has this morning confirmed the Munster prop has been stood down from duty as he follows the return to play protocols.
Head coach Andy Farrell hasn’t called up a replacement to join the Ireland squad at their Sydney base this week, with Tom O’Toole and Bohan now the only two recognised looseheads at his disposal for the meeting with Japan on Saturday.
Ulster’s O’Toole looks likely to retain his starting place for Saturday’s second Nations Championship clash, with 20-year-old Bohan set to be part of the matchday squad.
Bohan – a grandson of former Ireland head coach Mick Doyle – has been one of the breakout stars in Irish rugby this season.
The Kildare native was only 19-years-old when he made his Connacht debut in December, before a string of impressive performances and a run of injuries to other players saw him included in the wider Ireland squad for the Six Nations, and although he didn’t feature in that campaign, he did play for an Ireland XV in their friendly with an English selection.
Bohan (above) made 15 appearances for Connacht across the season while still technically an academy player, he will step up to a senior contract at the province next season.
With no additional loosehead prop called up, Ireland are taking a slight risk with their front row numbers.
Should anything happen to O’Toole or Bohan in the next few days, Thomas Clarkson looks like being the potential stop-gap loosehead, with the Leinster prop listed on Ireland’s team-sheets as being available to pack down on both sides of the scrum.
Tadhg Furlong is only designated as a tighthead, while Connacht’s uncapped tighthead Sam Illo is the only other prop in the camp.
Robert Baloucoune is the other injury worry for Ireland, ahead of Saturdays game against Japan.
The Ulster wing has been named to start Saturday’s game against the Wallabies, but was ruled out with a tight hamstring, and while Farrell sounded confident the 28-year-old would be available to return, the latest squad update says a call on his fitness would be made later in the week.
The Ireland squad will remain in Sydney until Thursday before making the short trip north to Newcastle, where they face Japan on Saturday.