Van der Flier and Ringrose passed fit for South Africa clash

In further good news, prop Thomas Clarkson has passed all HIA protocols. However, centre Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out of the Springboks game. 

Josh van der Flier had been out of action since Ireland played New Zealand in Chicago on November 1. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have both been passed fit to face South Africa in Dublin this Saturday after successfully returning to full training at the weekend but Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out.

Openside flanker van der Flier and outside centre Ringrose have been sidelined since facing New Zealand on November 1 having nursed hamstring strains over the past two weeks. Head coach Andy Farrell said the pair, both of whom he selected for last summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, had both trained well last Saturday and their availability would be determined by their reactions to that field session.