Connacht's Cian Prendergast has been called into the Ireland squad for their training camp in Portugal. He replaces Tom Ahern who sustained a head injury during Munster's Investec Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Northampton Saints.
Ahern had been selected as one of Ireland's training panellists ahead of the Guinness Six Nations, but his injury from last Saturday's game saw him stay overnight in hospital, and he will continue his rehabilitation with Munster.
It is very unfortunate timing for the uncapped Ahern, who has shown his athleticism and versatility in a recent run of appearances in the back row. He has scored six tries for Munster so far this season, including two in the Champions Cup.
Andy Farrell's men fly out on Wednesday for the pre-Six Nations training camp in Quinta do Lago. The travelling party will include the 34-player squad, along with three training panellists, Oli Jager and now both Prendergast brothers, Sam and Cian.
The 23-year-old Cian has played three times for Ireland between 2022 and 2023, and was part of the summer training squad ahead of last year's Rugby World Cup. He began 2024 as Connacht's player-of-the-match in their home win over Munster.
Speaking at the Guinness Six Nations launch on Monday, Ireland head coach Farrell said: "As far as fitness and being ready for the first game (against France) is concerned, we've nine days and five training sessions to get ourselves up to speed.
"We've been pretty good at that over the last few seasons, so it's about getting ourselves ready for that first game on Friday week in Marseille.
"I've no doubt that players will be bouncing into camp (today) and looking forward to the nine days of preparation together."
Prendergast Replaces Ahern In Ireland Squad For Training Camp
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23rd January 2024
