Big shocks incoming.
Ireland do not make their 31-man World Cup squad official until Sunday, September 8 but the entire squad were informed, either by phone or in person, over the weekend.
Joe Schmidt and his coaching staff got together on Sunday, September 1 and they thrashed out the final squad selection calls.
We understand that Schmidt has made a number of bold calls and, in doing so, is leaving three experienced players at home. Devin Toner [67 caps], Kieran Marmion [27] and Jordi Murphy [29] are the big casualties expected when the IRFU release the final squad next Sunday.
(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)World Rugby had requested that each nation submit a provisional 31-man squad on September 1 but, in case of injuries, all squads will be rubber-stamped next Sunday.
In terms of big calls, this is what SportsJOE is expecting to be confirmed after the final warm-up game against Wales:
- Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne selected as locks. Devin Toner missing out.
- Luke McGrath chosen as second scrumhalf, with Conor Murray, at the expense of Kieran Marmion.
- Rhys Ruddock edging out Jordi Murphy for the final back row spot.
These calls, and more, were discussed by Barry Murphy, Andrew Trimble and Jerry Flannery on the latest episode of Baz & Andrew’s House of Rugby.
Big talk about the Ireland squad selection on @HouseOfRugby and our penguins have been feeding us lots of hot takes
Kleyn over Toner
Ruddock over Murphy
Addison over Farrell
McGrath over Marmion🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/DyKJrU3Ykp
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) September 2, 2019
There was also talk going around, on Sunday and today, of Rob Herring getting in ahead of other hooker Sean Cronin. That one appears to be more on the rumour side of the fence but Cronin will hope to get a chance against Wales, at the Aviva Stadium, to settle any debate.
Schmidt and Ireland would still be permitted squad changes, over the next seven days, should injury befall any of his 31 go-to men in training or in the Wales encounter.
PREDICTED IRELAND SQUAD
PROPS (5)
Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, John Ryan
HOOKERS (3)
Rory Best, Niall Scannell, Sean Cronin
LOCKS (4)
James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne
BACK ROW (5)
Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander, Rhys Ruddock, Jack Conan
SCRUM-HALVES (2)
Conor Murray, Luke McGrath
OUT-HALVES (3)
Johnny Sexton, Jack Carty, Joey Carbery
MIDFIELD (4)
Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Will Addison
BACK THREE (5)
Keith Earls, Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway
The latest episodes sees Barry Murphy, Andrew Trimble and Jerry Flannery discuss Ireland’s World Cup squad selection and look ahead to their final warm-up game against Wales.
