Jun 19

Timoney and Izuchukwu Selected for Ireland's Tour Against the Springboks

By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News

Ulster forwards Nick Timoney and Cormac Izuchukwu have been selected for Ireland's squad for the upcoming two Test series against South Africa. Unfortunately, injured scrum half Jamison Gibson Park will not be joining them.

This marks the first call up for 24 year old Izuchukwu, who has impressed with his performances for Ulster. He is versatile, capable of playing in both the second row and back row. Izuchukwu joins two other uncapped players in the 35 man squad, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne.

With Jack Conan, a 2021 British and Irish Lions player, unavailable for personal reasons, Nick Timoney has the opportunity to add to his three international caps, his last appearance being against Fiji in November 2022. Ireland will face the reigning World Cup champions in Pretoria on July 6 and Durban on July 13.

Ireland has won the last three Tests against South Africa, including a 13-8 victory in their World Cup Pool B match in Paris last year. However, the Springboks secured a 2-1 series win the last time Ireland toured South Africa in 2016.

South Africa, recently overtaking Ireland in the world rankings, will have their first match since their World Cup final win against New Zealand when they play Wales at Twickenham on Saturday. Gibson Park's absence due to injury is a significant setback for Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell. The Leinster scrum half, who has been a key player for Ireland, sustained a hamstring injury after starting in Leinster's United Rugby Championship semi final loss to the Bulls, where he also underwent a head injury assessment (HIA).

In Gibson Park's absence, Connacht's Caolin Blade, who has two caps, will join veteran Conor Murray and Craig Casey as the travelling scrum halves. Connacht wing Mack Hansen, sidelined by a shoulder injury, will also miss out.

Peter O'Mahony will continue as captain, a role he took over from the retired Johnny Sexton for the Six Nations title win earlier this year. O'Mahony missed the 2016 South Africa series due to injury and acknowledged the respect and familiarity between the two nations.

"I'm honored to lead Ireland in South Africa, one of the toughest challenges in world rugby," said O'Mahony. "As reigning world champions, South Africa will be a formidable opponent, and we must perform at our best to achieve the desired results."

Notably, while Prendergast is included, Leinster teammates Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne are not. First choice full back Hugo Keenan will also be absent, having chosen to compete with the Ireland sevens team at the Paris Olympics. However, Jimmy O'Brien, who missed the Six Nations due to injury, is included in the squad.

With Iain Henderson injured, Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Furlong, Conor Murray, and Finlay Bealham are the only remaining players from Ireland's 2016 series defeat. The Ireland squad will gather at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin before departing for Johannesburg on June 25. Farrell emphasized that facing the world champions on their home turf is the ultimate test for Ireland.

"The squad will convene in Dublin to prepare for the tour. The team understands the importance of being fully prepared and ready to deliver our best performance," said Farrell.