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Another blow for Ireland as Conan to miss 2020 Six Nations
By Ciarán Kennedy
The rebuilding job facing incoming Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been dealt an early blow with the news that Jack Conan is expected to miss the entire 2020 Six Nations.
The Leinster player left the World Cup early after suffering an injury when a team-mate stood on his foot during a training session before Ireland's pool stage game against Japan.
Leinster have now confirmed that Conan will be out of action for up to six months after undergoing surgery last week, ruling him out of Ireland's 2020 Six Nations campaign.
Conan had been expected to start in the Japan game having impressed in Ireland's opening pool win against Scotland, where he started on the bench before replacing the injured Peter O'Mahony after just 26 minutes.
The injury is the latest setback in what has been a frustrating international career so far for Conan. The 27-year-old won his first cap in summer 2015 but had to wait two years to add to that. So far he has been capped 17 times, but has generally found the path to the starting XV blocked by Munster's CJ Stander despite consistently delivering for Leinster.
New Ireland head coach Farrell takes over from Joe Schmidt following Ireland's abysmal 46-14 World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand. The former England assistant coach will be expected to shake up the starting XV in response to a hugely underwhelming 2019 campaign, but will now have to do so without one of Ireland's more dynamic back-row options.
Leinster also confirmed that Sean Cronin will be assessed later this week after retuning from the World Cup with a neck injury.
Watch: Joe Schmidt and Rory Best's final Ireland press conference
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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