Connacht's Jansen backed to fill number 8 gap for Ireland
Connacht's Sean Jansen is being tipped to fill the number 8 position for Ireland's upcoming Nations Championship matches due to injuries to Jack Conan and Caelan Doris. Jansen has impressed with his recent performances for Connacht and his international debut earlier this year.
Why it matters
The selection of a key player for the national rugby team is a significant development for Irish sports fans and the team's competitive prospects.
Andy Farrell's back row depth will be put to the test next month, with Jack Conan joining Caelan Doris on the sidelines for the Nations Championship slate of games in November.
Leinster and the IRFU are yet to put a timeline on Conan's recovery from the shoulder injury he picked up in the province's impressive win against Clermont Auvergne last weekend, but the 34-year-old will miss the four-game slate next month, left out of the 36-man squad.
Quite a few of the back row forwards selected by Farrell have experience packing down at the base of the scrum, with Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney and the uncapped James McNabney all wearing 8 for their provinces on occasion, although Connacht's Sean Jansen appears to be leading the race to start the opening game of the block against Argentina on Friday, 6 November.
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