Injury rocks Irish squad
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran prop Cian Healy was left out of Ireland’s World Cup squad due to injury.
Leinster’s Healy, 35, limped off the field in a narrow 17-13 victory over Samoa at Bayonne at the weekend – their final warm-up game before the tournament.
Healy was playing in his 125th international and had been hoping to feature in a fourth World Cup.
“It has been a difficult selection process over the last number of weeks because a squad of 43 players have worked extremely hard throughout an eight-week pre-season period, with the group pushing each other on the pitch and becoming very close off it,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said.
“It is a hugely exciting time for the group as we prepare to depart for Tours and finalise our preparations for our World Cup opener against Romania,” he added.
Munster’s Jeremy Loughman takes loose-head Healy’s spot in Farrell’s set-up, captained by 38-year-old Johnny Sexton.
There is also a place for Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey as well as Keith Earls despite the experienced Munster winger missing the win over Samoa with a minor injury.
Hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher are also included as they are expected to overcome foot and hamstring issues.
Farrell, who led the side to this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam, heads to France with 18 players tasting their first World Cup.
Sexton, Earls as well as second-choice scrum-half Conor Murray will appear in their third edition.
Leading contenders Ireland begin their campaign against Romania on September 9 and also play Tonga, holders South Africa and Scotland in Pool B.
* (Continue below …)
Ireland squad
Forwards
Props: Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
Hookers: Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
Locks: Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), James Ryan (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
Back row: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Backs
Scrumhalves: Craig Casey (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster)
Flyhalves: Johnny Sexton (Leinster, capt), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Jack Crowley (Munster)
Centres: Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Wings: Keith Earls (Munster), Mack Hansen (Connacht) James Lowe (Leinster)
Fullbacks: Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster)
