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Durban: Ireland on Thursday made four changes to its squad for Saturday’s second Test against South Africa, dropping captain Peter O’Mahony from the starting line-up.
O’Mahony was on the bench for the game at Kings Park, with Karan Doris taking over as captain.
Tadhg Beirne, who was in the second row last week, moves to blindside winger, with Josh van der Flier on the open side and Doris at No 8. This means James Ryan will lock in a spot alongside Joe McCarthy.
Hooker Dan Sheehan and halfback Craig Casey were injured and unable to play in the World Champions’ 27-20 defeat at the Loftusfield Stadium in Pretoria last weekend.
Sheehan has a serious knee injury and is likely to be out for the rest of the year, with his replacement being Ronan Kelleher, who had replaced him in the first Test.
Casey suffered concussion after being tackled and was replaced by veteran Conor Murray, who also replaced Casey in the second half in Pretoria and scored a try.
Bundee Aki is struggling with a shoulder injury and although he trained with the squad on Wednesday, he was replaced in midfield by Garry Ringrose, who partners Robbie Henshaw, who has recovered from concussion in Pretoria.
Six Nations champions Ireland had a number of injuries at the start of the week but have James Lowe (thigh), Jamie Osborne (leg) and Andrew Porter (hand cut) all back to full fitness.
team:
15-Jamie Osborne, 14-Calvin Nash, 13-Gary Ringrose, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-James Lowe, 10-Jack Crowley, 9-Conor Murray, 8-Kelan Doris (captain), 7-Josh van der Flyer, 6-Tiger Bain, 5-James Ryan, 4-Joe McCarthy, 3-Tiger Furlong, 2-Ronan Kelleher, 1-Andrew Porter
Substitutes: 16-Rob Herring, 17-Sian Healy, 18-Finley Bilham, 19-Ryan Baird, 20-Peter O’Mahony, 21-Collin Bladder, 22-Ciaran Frawley, 23-Stuart McCloskey
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