Ireland's World Cup squad gradually taking shape

TEAM NEWS: Ireland confirmed that five players have been cut from the 42-man World Cup training squad on Wednesday.

Connactht’s Caolin Blade, Munster duo Gavin Coombes and Calvin Nash, Leinster’s Jamie Osborne and Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell have all returned to their respective teams.

The players are set to continue with their pre-season training programmes, the IRFU revealed in an official statement.

Munster prop Jeremy Loughman has been added to the squad, which means that there are now 38 players training in the squad.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is scheduled to name his final 33-man squad for France on August 28 following the meeting with Steve Borthwick’s England side and a final run out against Samoa in Bayonne.