Ulster forwards Nick Timoney and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named in Ireland’s squad for next month’s two-Test series against South Africa, but injured scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out.

It is a first call-up for 24-year-old Izuchukwu, who can play in the second row and back row, following a series of strong displays for Ulster.

Izuchukwu is one of three uncapped players in the squad alongside Leinster pair Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne.

With 2021 British and Irish Lions tourist Jack Conan unavailable, back row Timoney is handed the chance to add to his three caps, the last of which came against Fiji in November 2022.

Ireland face the back-to-back World Cup winners in Pretoria on 6 July and Durban on 13 July.

The Irish have won the past three Tests against the Springboks, including a 13-8 success in last year’s World Cup Pool B encounter in Paris. The Boks, however, claimed a 2-1 series win the last time Ireland visited South Africa in 2016.

South Africa, who replaced Ireland at the top of world rankings, have not played since beating New Zealand in the World Cup final but face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

More to follow.