Ireland squad send show of support to teammate Shannon Ikahihifo after cancer diagnosis

Shannon Ikahihifo has won three caps and had been a member of the wider Ireland squad that started pre-season back in early June.

Shannon Ikahihifo made her cancer diagnosis public on Friday. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon has praised the selfless example set by teammate Shannon Ikahihifo who has gone public with her cancer diagnosis.

Ikahihifo, who has won three caps and had been a member of the wider Ireland squad that started pre-season back in early June, shared the news on Friday morning.

Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.

“Crazy to think that one day you can be running around on the rugby pitch feeling completely fine, then five days later you're sitting in a hospital room being told you have cancer,” Ikahihifo posted on Instagram.

"Still a little in shock if I'm honest, but I'm so blessed to have the most amazing husband, family, and friends that always carry when things start to feel a bit heavy.

"Fair to say she's been a pretty tough few weeks. But lucky we're tougher."

McMahon was speaking at the team’s tournament base in the English Midlands and on the back of head coach Scott Bemand naming his team and matchday squad for the weekend.

“We found out as a group a little bit earlier than everyone else heard, but we respected Shannon's space that she wanted to deal with this herself and even get to terms with what the news is.

"A credit to her to be so brave to come out. It would be very easy to fall into the background and not say anything and not raise awareness herself.

"I know Breast Cancer Awareness is actually happening next month, but the full group are here to support her and we're all thinking of her.

"But at the same time, she's so selfless in that she didn't want to distract from rugby itself and all of the good work that's going on for World Rugby and this campaign.

"She was like, I don't want [this] to be about me’ but that's Shannon to a T. The squad are definitely thinking of her and we're here to support her whatever that looks like."