Billy Bohan earns Ireland call-up after Boyle injury

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has backed Connacht prop Billy Bohan to cope with the demands of Test rugby after the 20-year-old was drafted into the Six Nations squad following an injury to Jack Boyle.

Bohan was called up after Boyle suffered a lower leg injury early in Connacht’s recent URC clash against Leinster at the Dexcom Stadium.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen later suggested the injury could be long-term, further complicating Ireland’s options at loosehead.

Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy are also sidelined, although Farrell indicated Porter could still come into contention later in the championship.

The Kildare-born Bohan, who only turned 20 in November, made his senior debut for Connacht in the Challenge Cup last month. He was also part of Ireland’s squad at last summer’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy, continuing a steady rise through the ranks.

Farrell said Bohan’s inclusion reflected both his temperament and the trust shown in him at provincial level, pointing to the fact that he started a major interprovincial fixture ahead of more experienced players.

"You can hear the excitement in his voice, a little bit of a chuckle whilst I was speaking to him on the phone," Farrell told RTÉ Sport.

"I mean, it says a lot, doesn't it, that Connacht are playing one of the biggest games in their history, I would have thought, with the new stand opening and at home to Leinster and he's first choice. It says a lot.

"There's some good experienced players that are behind him [in the pecking order] last weekend. We obviously followed his progress through the 20s and the games that he's played so far at Connacht."