Fresh concerns for Ireland's trip to South Africa

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland No.8 Jack Conan has been ruled out of the upcoming tour to South Africa.

The Leinster loose forward is set to miss the series against the World Cup champions due to personal reasons.

According to The Irish Independent, Conan’s wife Ali is due to give birth to the couple’s first child during the window that Ireland will take on the Springboks in two Tests, and as such, the 31-year-old has decided to make himself unavailable to travel.

With Conan set to miss out, reports suggest that Ulster loose forward Nick Timoney is expected to be included, while Munster No.8 Gavin Coombes is also in the mix when Andy Farrell likely names his squad on Tuesday.

Timoney’s Ulster teammate Cormac Izuchukwu has been tipped for his first call-up.

In other injury news, Farrell will hope that Calvin Nash is fit enough to travel to South Africa after the in-form wing missed the United Rugby Championship semifinal between Munster and Glasgow Warriors with what was described as a leg knock.

Garry Ringrose will also hope to get the nod after the fit-again centre made his return from a shoulder injury in Leinster’s URC semifinal defeat to the Bulls.

Farrell is expected to name a familiar-looking strong squad for the games in Pretoria (July 6) and Durban (July 13).

Source: Irish Independent