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14th June 2022
02:49pm BST

Robert Baloucoune celebrates with Ireland team-mates James Hume, Craig Casey and Hugo Keenan after scoring against the USA, in 2021. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"Yeah, it's a few things going on with his hip that's muscular. It's not structural damage, which is a good thing. The injury is set to be four to six weeks [recovery time]. "We had Rob in yesterday, waiting on results for that. Gutted for him, absolutely. We're gutted for ourselves as coaches because this is the type of tour that's made for people like Rob, to show his worth on the big stage. That's what the tour is all about. "For us, this is the start of our World Cup campaign, and we wanted players like Rob involved."The Ireland coach was also crestfallen to lose out on Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher after it was deemed wiser to give his damaged shoulder time to recover after a stop-start season. Kelleher's misfortune opened the door for Connacht's Dave Heffernan. Of the other players that did not make the cut, Farrell was specifically asked about Munster back-row Jack O'Donoghue. The Waterford man had an outstanding season, but lost out in that scrap for a last slot with the likes of Ulster's Nick Timoney, Connacht's Cian Prendergast and his Munster teammate, Gavin Coombes.
Asked if Jack O'Donoghue was in the conversation for a summer tour place, Andy Farrell said, "Of course. Everyone is in contention, especially the guys who are playing well. Jack is obviously one of them.
"He's in a very competitive position, and you look across who has been selected in those areas. I don't think you could complain about any of those that were selected, neither."Farrell says he is excited about bringing his 40-man squad to 'probably the hardest place in world rugby to go to, and finding out a lot about ourselves'. The tour starts with a June 29 game against the Maori All Blacks, before the First Test against New Zealand on Saturday, July 2.
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