Ross has vital role to play, insists Cronin

Sean Cronin believes Ireland will need to draw on fit-again tighthead prop Mike Ross "big-time" against the powerful Springboks tomorrow.

Hooker Cronin has stepped into the breach after Rory Best failed to beat a calf problem, forming an all-Leinster front-row with Ross and loosehead Jack McGrath.

Ireland must take on Heyneke Meyer’s formidable Springboks without injured prop trio Cian Healy, Marty Moore and Nathan White, while Ross returns after missing a month through groin trouble.