Ireland Rugby Mixed Injury Update Before South Africa Game

Ireland's rugby team received a mixed injury update ahead of their final Autumn Nations Series match against world champion South Africa on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Centre Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out with a recurrence of a groin injury, while Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, and Thomas Clarkson are all available for selection after recovering from their respective issues.

McCloskey, who had been a key figure in Ireland's midfield, sustained the groin problem during the opening fixture against New Zealand on November 1 in Chicago, which Ireland lost 23-20. He missed the subsequent 41-10 victory over Japan but returned for the record 46-19 win over Australia last Saturday at Aviva Stadium. However, he lasted only 27 minutes before being forced off, with Bundee Aki replacing him. An Irish Rugby Football Union medical bulletin confirmed the injury as a recurrence of the original issue, sidelining the Ulster centre for the showdown with the Springboks.

The news was more positive for three other players. Ringrose, a Leinster centre, and van der Flier, a Leinster flanker and the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, both overcame hamstring strains that kept them...