Rónan Kelleher 'It's just bitter. You never want to see a team-mate injured'

Dan Sheehan's potentially serious knee injury in Saturday's first Test against South Africa is a reminder of just how cruel sport can be.

It was a completely innocuous incident that left the Ireland hooker with what is suspected to be a ruptured ACL, a routine tackle on South Africa's Eben Etzebeth where Sheehan jarred his left knee.

Sheehan's loss will have been felt right around the squad. The 25-year-old is only two-and-a-half years into his Test career, and 27 caps deep, but it's been a meteoric rise for the Leinster hooker, who would likely have been a first choice selection in a British and Irish Lions side, had it been picked on current form.

The cruelty is compounded with how quickly sport has to move on. There will be no time to dwell on his loss, or indeed that of Craig Casey, who is also ruled out of this week's second Test due to concussion. Dave Heffernan and Nathan Doak are now the squad, who are already deep into their preparations for this Saturday's game in Durban.

Rónan Kelleher knows the score. The Leinster man is likely to be promoted to the starting team in Sheehan's absence this weekend.

Two years ago, his own struggles with injury opened the door for Sheehan to cement his place as first choice for both province and country.

The 26-year-old (above) will now have a chance to impress head coach Andy Farrell against the Springboks at King's Park, and barring injury also through the Autumn Internationals.

But while he says he's ready to step up for Ireland, he's aware that it's come at great cost.

"I wouldn't say bittersweet at all," Kelleher says of the prospect of a start this weekend. "It's just bitter. You never want to see a team-mate injured, hurt or anything like that.

"It's unfortunate but that's sport.