CIAN PRENDERGAST HAS been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Wales today [KO 2.15pm, Virgin Media 1] due to illness.
The Connacht captain had been named on the Ireland bench and was due to earn his fifth Test cap, and make his Six Nations debut.
With Prendergast dropping out, Leinster’s Ryan Baird has been promoted to the Ireland bench.
ℹ️ Cian Prendergast has been ruled out of today’s game through illness, with Ryan Baird coming into the Match Day Squad.#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/QoKtsT6rq6
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 22, 2025
Baird started the round one win against England and came off the bench for the round two victory over Scotland.
The 25-year-old has been capped 25 times.
Ireland did not report any other late changes to today’s matchday 23, while Wales are due to line out as expected.
Big shout out to the off the ball team for their motivational talk for the welsh
@terry o sullivan: What a gaggle if gunts
Harsh on prendergast. Feel that out bench had a better balance with prendergast rather then baird.
An injury to 8 conan and we dont have natural cover, an injury to vdf and pom may have to go 80 which isn’t ideal.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: Coombes would have been a better option as he can cover 6,8 and lock if needed
I can remember a time when this last minute replacement would have caused major panic with the IRFU especially if playing abroad.
Some comments don’t age well at all…Baird played very well ! He’s always been a good player…prendergast will get his chance too
So who goes to 7 or 8 if there’s an early injury there?
Thats better imo