Ireland are set to be without star fullback Hugo Keenan for the upcoming two-Test series against the Springboks in July.
According to the 42.ie, Keenan is set to link up with Ireland’s sevens team in a bid to play at the Paris Olympics and as a result, will miss the tour of South Africa.
Keenan previously played in the Sevens Series between 2017 and 2019 and is reportedly attracted by the incentive of adding an Olympic medal to his cabinet, with the IRFU confident that Ireland can challenge for sevens rugby gold in Paris.
However, the 27-year-old’s absence will leave a massive gap in Andy Farrell’s squad for the series against the Springboks.
Keenan started all but one of Ireland’s games at the 2023 World Cup – including the pool-stage clash with South Africa – and has been the go-to fullback during Farrell’s tenure.
Since making his Test debut in the 2020 Six Nations, Keenan has earned 39 caps for Ireland, scoring 12 tries.
With Keenan set to join Ireland’s sevens squad for the final tournament of the Sevens Series in Madrid next weekend, he will also be unavailable for Leinster for the Vodacom URC playoffs.
Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
