A shoulder injury picked up while playing for Leinster on Friday night has ruled Ciarán Frawley out of the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa. Connacht scrumhalf Caolin Blade, Munster backrow Alex Kendellen and Leinster’s Alex Soroka have also pulled out of the travelling party ahead of their departure on Sunday evening.
Connacht outhalf Cathal Forde, Leinster scrumhalf Ben Murphy, and Ulster backrow David McCann have all been drafted in as replacements. All three are recent Ireland U20 internationals, with McCann part of the 2019 Grand Slam-winning group while he also was captain in 2020.
[ Sheehan plays the hits as Leinster tune up nicely in routine winOpens in new window ]
[ Munster still awaiting first win after surprise Dragons defeatOpens in new window ]
[ Bundee Aki’s red card a step too far as Connacht go down to the StormersOpens in new window ]
Similar to Frawley, Blade was injured in the most recent round of URC action, picking up a knock in Connacht’s defeat to the Stormers. Alex Kendellen is still undergoing his return-to-play process having failed a HIA last week in Munster’s defeat to Cardiff while Soroka has aggravated an existing foot issue.
The injury to Frawley will be a particular blow to the group led by Simon Easterby, given a significant goal of the tour was to give the Leinster man more game time out outhalf with a view to providing the senior team with long term cover at the position.
World Cup 2026 European qualifiers draw: All you need to know about Ireland’s potential group
Irish rugby is a good place to be, thanks to people such as Dave Fagan
No game illustrated the widening gulf between Europe’s elite and the rest than Toulouse’s mauling of Ulster
Provinces gear up for more European action as rugby pays tribute to Dave Fagan
Munster and Ulster were without their contingent of players selected for this tour to South Africa this weekend. Frawley, Blade Connacht backrow Cian Prendergast and Leinster’s Joe McCarthy were the only members of the original squad to play for their provinces in the most recent round of URC action.
The Ireland squad arrives in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. They will play three fixtures against the Griquas, Pumas and Cheetahs. It is likely the games will be streamed on the IRFU website.
