Ireland coach Andy Farrell has recalled three experienced players for next month’s Nations Championship Tests that includes a 21 November clash against the Springboks.
Winger Mack Hansen returns after almost a year of injury-enforced exile from Test rugby. He joins utility forward Ryan Baird and loosehead prop Andrew Porter in a 36-man group announced by Farrell on Wednesday.
The trio last played for Ireland against the world champions in Dublin last November.
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Hansen required foot surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season, but has since returned to action with Connacht.
Baird, 27, has recovered from a leg fracture while 30-year-old Porter was sidelined with calf problems.
Injuries among Ireland’s loose forwards have led to a call-up for uncapped Ulster forward James McNabney, while veteran scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park has been included even though he has yet to play for Leinster this season due to a groin strain.
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Caelan Doris remains unavailable as he recovers from knee and foot injuries, with hooker Dan Sheehan skippering the side.
Ireland face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium next month ahead of a Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham.
Farrell’s men have won two of their three Nations Championship matches so far, beating Australia and Japan before a 40-21 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park.
Ireland squad
Forwards: Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, James McNabney, Darragh Murray, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan (c), Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.
Backs: Bundee Aki, Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.
– AFP
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
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Ireland coach Andy Farrell has recalled three experienced players for next month’s Nations Championship Tests that includes a 21 November clash against the Springboks.
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