Possible bolters for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad

Former Ireland winger Andrew Trimble has said that Ulster backs Stuart McCloskey and Michael Lowry could be potential bolters for the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad.

McCloskey has played just twice for Ireland since making his international debut against England in 2016 while Lowry has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Ulster after graduating from the club's academy. Trimble has said that McCloskey has been brilliant for Ulster but that brilliance may not be enough to make the World Cup squad.

"McCloskey has been brilliant for ages," said Trimble. "He hasn't got any more brilliant. That's the thing. And the one area, well back row and centre are the two areas where being brilliant might not just be enough. Hopefully it is because he's probably Ulster's most important player. "He is the guy that gets gainlines but yeah, it would be nice to see him get a go. Be nice to see one of the young wingers get a go. Maybe Mike Lowry."

House of Rugby co-host Barry Murphy disagreed with Lowry and added that several players should get on the plane to Japan before him.

"Not in the World Cup," said Murphy. "I think the competition is too high there at the moment. I think he'll have to take [Andrew] Conway, he'll have to take [Keith] Earls. He'll have to take [Jacob] Stockdale. "Even Adam Byrne I'd bolt ahead of Lowry at the moment but look definitely one for the future."