DUBLIN - Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan faces an anxious wait to be cleared to play Rugby World Cup holders South Africa in the Nations Championship next week.
The 28-year-old sustained a concussion during Ireland's 42-12 thrashing of Argentina last Friday and the captain, standing in for the injured Caelan Doris, will undergo a 12-day return-to-play protocol.
Sheehan, who would be a huge miss if he failed to recover in time, will definitely miss this Saturday's match in Dublin with Fiji, with his experienced Leinster teammate Ronan Kelleher the likely starter in his place.
Sean Jansen, though, will play no further part in the tournament; the New Zealand-born back-rower suffered a knee injury early in the second half and has been sent back to his province, Connacht, to continue his recovery.
Josh van der Flier, who came on for Jansen, and winger Rob Baloucoune "will continue to be monitored" for ankle and cramp, respectively, said Irish Rugby in a statement on Monday.
However, on a brighter note for Ireland, veteran centre Bundee Aki, who had to withdraw shortly before the Pumas Test because of illness, is poised to return to training on Tuesday.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell will name his side on Thursday.
The Irish are presently third in the northern hemisphere Nations Championship standings; Fiji are bottom of the southern section and seeking their first point.
- AFP