Munster duo Loughman and Milne going head-to-head for loosehead berth

Milne, who is set to turn 27 on matchday this week, made his Test debut last summer against Georgia, earning his second cap the following week in Portugal having joined Munster from Leinster, initially on loan, last April.

Ireland prop Michael Milne. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Ireland’s selection battle at loosehead prop to face France in Paris this Thursday now appears to be a straight fight between Munster duo Jeremy Loughman and Mikey Milne following Billy Bohan’s release from their training base in Portugal on Sunday.

Uncapped 20-year-old Bohan had been a late call-up to Andy Farrell’s squad travelling to the Algarve last week when Jack Boyle became the third loosehead prop from Leinster to succumb to injury, following Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy onto the sidelines during last weekend’s URC derby at Bohan’s Connacht.