Ireland: Who replaces Hugo Keenan at full-back against the Springboks?

Andy Farrell looks set to be without Hugo Keenan for the highly-anticipated two-Test series against the Springboks.

The Leinster star has been a mainstay in the Ireland full-back jersey since Farrell took over from Joe Schmidt following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

If he does make the Olympic Games squad, it would render him unavailable for the senior men’s XV squad. This would force Farrell to explore other options from his depth stocks.

Planet Rugby takes a look at who the Ireland boss could turn to against the back-to-back World Cup-winning Springboks.

Front runners

It’s not the first time this year that Farrell has had to turn to another full-back, with Keenan missing Six Nations matches through injury.

Against Wales, it was Ciaran Frawley who got the nod to start in the number 15 jersey and he is one of the front runners to do so again in South Africa. Much will rely on the make-up of the Ireland bench, with Frawley preferred to cover multiple backline positions when Farrell has opted for a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards.

If not Frawley, then Jimmy O’Brien will fancy his chances of grabbing the starting role, having recently returned from injury with Leinster. He is also a versatile option with his ability to play in the centres and wing. The 27-year-old made a rapid return to full fitness scoring a try and assisting two against Ospreys in his first start back from injury. He also started the pre-World Cup match against Samoa at full-back.

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In the mix

Jordan Larmour started Ireland’s other Six Nations match that Keenan was sidelined for against Scotland. However, he didn’t quite make the most of his opportunity and has impressed more on the wing in recent games than at full-back. He is still an excellent option in the role and has enjoyed a stellar run of form in Leinster blue.

While Farrell is not short on options, many of the players who could fill Keenan’s void play more on the wing than in the number 15 jumper. James Lowe has been sensational on the wing for club and country in recent seasons but has a history of playing full-back in New Zealand, doing so for the Maori All Blacks and Chiefs. His cannon boot would certainly be helpful on the Highveld, but it is never wasted on the wing in Ireland set-up anyway.

The wings from the Six Nations, Calvin Nash and Lowe, could remain the same if Mack Hansen returns from his spell on the sidelines. Connacht boss Pete Wilkins says that they are monitoring Hansen on a ‘week-to-week’ basis with URC coming to a close. He has also played fullback for Connacht, but his skillset would suit the Ireland full-back role perfectly.

On the fringe

While all of the above-mentioned players have been in the Ireland squad in recent seasons, however there is an opportunity for others to force their way into the side.

Munster back Mike Haley has been in good form for the side but is regularly overlooked while Michael Lowry may also able to force his way back into the Test reckoning.

Outside bets

Lowry’s Ulster teammates Ethan McIlroy and Stewart Moore are also outside bets after their fine run of form late in the season.

Farrell could also shift a fly-half to full-back. Jack Crowley has been a standout performer in the 10 jumper and is unlikely to be shifted, which could lead to Harry Byrne slotting in the 15 jersey, but that would require a change in the requirements of the position in the set-up.

A more unlikely option would see Robbie Henshaw shift from the centres to full-back, which has been done in the past. If Garry Ringrose is back to full fitness for the tour to South Africa, he could seamlessly slot into the midfield with Bundee Aki, allowing for Henshaw’s positional change. A somewhat risky move and one that did not pay off the last time Ireland attempted to do so.

Finally, Munster’s versatile back-three star Shane Daly could return to the Test fold after a solid season.

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