Connacht backrow star Cian Prendergast will replace Munster’s Thomas Ahern on Ireland’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations squad, following a head injury Ahern sustained during a Champions Cup match against the Northampton Saints. 

This incident occurred in the latter part of the first half and resulted in Northampton's hooker, Curtis Langdon, receiving a red card for dangerous play. 

The injury was severe enough to require Ahern to spend the night in the hospital for treatment. 

He now is undergoing a strict return-to-play protocol under the supervision of Munster's medical team. This setback comes after an impressive season thus far for Ahern, who has scored six tries and been a revelation for Graham Rowntree’s side. 

Tom Ahern has returned home after spending the night under observation in hospital after sustaining a head injury against Northampton last night.

Get well soon, Tom 🙌#MUNvNOR #SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/bFpjcbvgwJ

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 21, 2024

In light of Ahern's absence, Prendergast will join the Ireland squad as one of the three 'training panelists,' a group that includes his brother Sam Prendergast and Munster's Oli Jager. 

The Ireland squad, which is gearing up to defend its Six Nations Grand Slam title, began preparations in Dublin on Monday. 

The squad is scheduled to travel to Portugal for a weeklong training camp ahead of their opening-round clash with France in Marseille.