Andrew Trimble misses out, but Madigan is in.
Joe Schmidt is putting the finishing touches to his Ireland World Cup squad, and if you get a phone call from the Ireland coach this evening, it means you’ll be watching it at home like the rest of us.
After Saturday’s loss to Wales we imagine a number of players are hoping that their phones stay pretty silent for the next 24 hours.
We should know the squad by Tuesday but, before Joe announces the lucky 31, Brian O’Driscoll has decided to reveal the players he thinks the Kiwi will be bringing across the Irish Sea.
And some of his former colleagues won’t be too happy.
The former Irish captain sees no room for Felix Jones in the squad while Andrew Trimble also misses out.
But BOD does have good news for Ian Madigan, as the ex-Irish captain thinks he will make the cut.
O’Driscoll also feels that Schmidt will take a risk on Cian Healy despite the Leinster man still struggling with his fitness.
“At prop, my hunch is he’ll go with Cian Healy which is a risk but he’s been given the all-clear to play by the specialist. Even if he plays an impact role during the World Cup, it will be a great boost to Ireland’s ball carrying needs.”
The Irish legend also feels that because Healy will be included that Nathan White will get the nod to appear at his first World Cup
“With Marty Moore yet to play a minute, I don’t believe Joe can take the risk on bringing two props with no game time so Nathan White might get the nod. That means the fifth prop could be David Kilcoyne to cover Healy.”
O’Driscoll’s full Irish squad is:
Backs :
Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Dave Kearney, Keith Earls, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss.
Forwards :
Jack McGrath, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Ross, Nathan White, Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Paul O’Connell, Donncha Ryan, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahoney, Sean O’Brien, Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip
