Dan Sheehan injury just ‘bitter’ for next man up Ronan Kelleher and not ‘bittersweet’

Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan has been called up and joined the squad in South Africa on Monday.

READY FOR ROAD: Ronan Kelleher faces the media in Durban. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Hooker Ronan Kelleher takes no pleasure in the circumstances leading to his likely elevation to the Ireland starting team for this weekend’s second Test against the Springboks in Durban.

Kelleher is set to start against the world champions after a serious knee injury ruled out Dan Sheehan, which he sustained late in the first half of last weekend’s bruising 27-20 loss at Loftus Versfeld.