Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty has backed uncapped Connacht props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo to deliver if they are called upon for debuts in Saturday’s Nations Championship meeting with Japan.
With Jeremy Loughman stood down for the week after suffering a head injury in last weekend’s win against Australia, loosehead Bohan looks likely to have some involvement in Newcastle, New South Wales, on Saturday, which would cap off a remarkable rise this season for the 20-year-old.
Over at tighthead, his Connacht team-mate Illo could also be in line to earn a first Ireland cap, should Andy Farrell decide to keep Tadhg Furlong on ice ahead of next week’s clash with New Zealand at Eden Park.
And Fogarty says the Irish coaches will have no hesitation playing the pair this week, if they feel the time is right.
“There’s a reason they’re here,” the Ireland scrum coach said of the rookie props.
“Both Billy and Sam have performed well throughout the season. They’ve put their hands up and we’re seeing that form in training.
“It’s been brilliant. It’s been exactly what we’d wanted for them. The learnings are huge and to be around the other more experienced props and be around Andy [Farrell], Paul [O’Connell], Goody [Andrew Goodman], Johnny [Sexton], Simon [Easterby], and get reviewed and understand what it’s going to take to become an international player, we’re seeing that and I’m sure they’re feeling that throughout the week.”
Sam Illo (l) speaks to Ireland head coach Andy Farrell
For Bohan in particular, a first cap this week would round off a sensational debut season.
The Kildare native only made his Connacht debut in December when he was still just 19-years-old, before being called into the Six Nations squad in January after injuries to Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle left the Irish scrum depleted.
Still a Connacht academy player until next season, Bohan finished the season as the province’s first choice loosehead, and Fogarty believes he has grown considerably since he was first in camp back in January.
“He’s learning the whole time. He’s got a huge appetite to learn, very curious around his bits and pieces. Tadhg Furlong will be the first to tell you that he’s constantly figuring ways out to do things well. So is Billy.
“Like I said, he’s got the right mindset to continue to grow. We’ve seen him grow since he got here, so he’s been great.
“I think he had more game time under his belt and he had a certain confidence.
“When we bring guys in, a lot of the time we’re bringing them in to expose them to the level of training. And we want to see them go back and kick on.
“We want to see them go back and use any little bits that they’ve taken and put it in their game and be consistent. And he has done that. And he’s found a bit of consistency in what he’s doing around scrum and certainly around the game. Size-wise, he’s just about perfect.
“It’s really exciting, but he’s got a lot to learn and he understands that. He’s certainly someone that we’re very excited about. We’ll see how it goes.”
Billy Bohan (r) is a grandson of former Ireland head coach Mick Doyle
With Loughman stood down for this week, and no replacement called up, Ireland could be left scrambling for someone to play out of position at loosehead prop this weekend if one of Bohan or Tom O’Toole were to get injured later in the week.
But Fogarty revealed he has plenty of emergency front row options lined up, if needed.
“Tom Clarkson could slot in there [at loosehead]. Ronan Kelleher was as a loosehead in school. We stick him in at loosehead and training in the 3v3s, a very strong, robust hooker that could acquit himself well there.
“Nick Timoney can play hooker, believe it or not, a very good scrummaging hooker.
“I’m looking at Bryn Ward all the time. He’s 120kg. I’m looking at him going, ‘Come over here, big boy!’.
“But I haven’t gone there yet with Bryn. Let’s see how he goes as a back row,” he laughed.
“He’s 120kg. I’m looking at him going, ‘come over here big boy!’…” 😁
Ronan Kelleher at prop? Nick Timoney at hooker? Bryn Ward in the front row?
John Fogarty has been running through some of his emergency front row options. 💪 #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/7fVkYqUHT3
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 7, 2026
With Loughman ruled out, Rob Baloucoune is the only other injury doubt ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Japan, after he was a late withdrawal from the team to face Australia due to a tight hamstring.
The Ulster wing did take part in this morning’s training at the Leichhardt Oval in west Sydney.
Saturday’s opponents, Japan, come into the week off the back of a surprisingly comfortable 27-10 win against Italy in their Nations Championship opener, while Fogarty (above) insists Ireland will have to iron out some of the creases in their own performance, after the chaotic 33-31 win against the Wallabies.
“There was a bit of everything in it. And to find a way to win, I think the lads are in good form, but they know that there’s inaccuracies throughout our game, and that we need to get better at, that we need to improve on.
“We’re delighted with the win. But we understand, and that’s what Monday, Tuesday was about, making sure we understand what needs to be looked at before we move towards Japan, which is going to be a tough game again.
“They’re really well coached. Japan are always very compact, very organised, quick to hit and always get to a really good height.
“So, if there’s little inaccuracies with your timing, you’ll get exposed. So, we’re making sure we’re preparing properly for what’s going to be a tough game,” he added.