Lions back row Jack Conan ruled out of Tonga clash

Ireland back row Jack Conan will miss Saturday's game against Tonga (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) but is on target to train fully with the team next week.

The Leinster and Lions number 8 has not played since injuring his foot against Italy on 5 August.

"[We had a] very good training session today and everybody came through that really well," team manager Mick Kearney told reporters this afternoon.

"Jack was out running, which was a real positive, and while Saturday will come a little bit early for him, I think the signs are really positive in terms of being able to train fully next week, and hopefully he will be available for South Africa.

"It’s his first [time on the training pitch] for the last few days. So, he has been doing most of his rehab in the gym with the physios.

"Today was obviously a very big day for him in terms of getting out and running. He ran really well, it’s really positive and he was in a good place afterwards."

There was good news for head coach Andy Farrell with injured trio Dave Kilcoyne (hamstring), Robbie Henshaw (hamstring) and Dan Sheehan (foot) all able to train fully with the squad.

"They were all integrated fully into training today, and all trained fully, so that’s positive as well," said Kearney.

The team for the 8pm kick-off against Tonga in Nantes will be named tomorrow afternoon

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