Ireland Bolsters Squad with Murphy After Ahern Injury Scare
Ireland has added Connacht lock Josh Murphy to their training squad as a precautionary measure while Munster’s Tom Ahern deals with an injury concern before the upcoming summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal. Ireland bolsters squad with Murphy after Ahern injury scare, ensuring they have cover in case Ahern’s fitness becomes an issue. The IRFU confirmed that Ahern is experiencing “hamstring tightness” but remains in contention to earn his first senior cap for Ireland in the weeks ahead.
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Ahern’s Push for Debut Continues
Ahern, who hails from Waterford and is versatile enough to play in both the second row and back row, has been pushing for an Ireland debut over the past two seasons. His performances for Munster have been strong, with the forward scoring 11 tries across 41 appearances, showcasing his readiness for the international stage. His potential involvement in the Tests is still on track unless his hamstring issue worsens in the build-up.
Murphy Returns to the Fold
Josh Murphy joined the Irish camp this week to support preparations for the fixtures on 5 July against Georgia and 12 July against Portugal in Lisbon. While the 30-year-old will train with the squad, he is not expected to make the trip to Tbilisi unless Ahern’s injury necessitates a change in plans. Murphy initially moved to Connacht in 2022 after spending five years with Leinster, where he made 61 appearances. In his first season with Connacht, he featured in 18 games and played a role in their URC semi-final run.
Balancing Medicine and Rugby
During the 2024/25 season, Murphy stepped away from professional rugby to advance his medical studies while playing for Clontarf in the Energia All Ireland League. He returned to Connacht last summer and became a key figure within their forward pack, making 21 appearances and adding four tries across all competitions, underlining his consistent form and fitness.
Providing Depth for Summer Tests
Currently, Murphy is one of six additional players training with Paul O’Connell’s 32-man squad ahead of the two-match summer series. His inclusion offers Ireland depth and readiness should any further injuries arise, ensuring the team is fully prepared for the challenges against Georgia and Portugal in July.
