We picked the best Ireland XV of non-Leinster players

A serious rugby team

With Leinster players continuing to dominate Ireland selections, we have gone and picked out match-day 23 made up of players plying their trade outside of the Blue province.

It is a serious side and further highlights the depth in Irish rugby.

The breakdown of the squad is as follows: 12 Munster, 7 Ulster, 4 Connacht.

Front row

Leinster utterly own this area, with the top-three loose heads, hookers, and two of the top-four tight heads.

Nonetheless, there are some great options, with Finlay Bealham looking Lions test worthy, and Ulster hookers Tom Stewart and Rob Herring already proven internationals.

The Tom O’Toole to loose head experiment seemed to be bearing fruit in the recent Ireland ‘A’ game, while Jack Aungier has overtaken Oli Jager at tight head.

Lock

Serious depth here, with two test Lions to start, and the best uncapped player in the country on the bench.

Darragh Murray just misses out.

Backrow

We are going against the current Ireland pecking order by selecting John Hodnett at openside ahead of Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney, and Alex Kendellen, but he has proven himself against a number of top sides over the past three seasons.

Serious impact off the bench in the shape of Cormac Izuchukwu.

Half back

Another area of strength, with three Munster stars plus a rejuvenated JJ Hanrahan, who will be returning to his native province next season.

Centre

Scratch what we wrote above, Tom Farrell is the best uncapped player in the country.

He partners the still world-class Stuart McCloskey.

Back three

The ever reliable Mike Haley completes an international-quality starting back three.

Calvin Nash is desperately unlucky not to make the team, but Shane Daly’s ability to cover centre, wing and fullback make him the obvious choice for the No 23 jersey.

Non-Leinster Ireland 23:

1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Tom Stewart
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Iain Henderson
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt.)
7. John Hodnett
8. Gavin Coombes
9. Craig Casey
10. Jack Crowley
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Tom Farrell
14. Mack Hansen
15. Mike Haley

Replacements: Tom O’Toole, Rob Herring, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Cormac Izuchuckwu, Conor Murray, JJ Hanrahan, Shane Daly.

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