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D'Arcy's experience could be vital. Inpho/Billy Stickland
Centre of Excellence

You've decided on the back three, now pick your centres travel to the Rugby World Cup

Gordon D’Arcy, Noel Reid and Darren Cave will likely fight over one place.

YESTERDAY YOU FOUGHT for your selections in the back three, and today we’re moving inside to the centre.

Depending on your selections in yesterday’s discussion, you’re probably left with three plane tickets to hand out to this group of five, and if you’ve been clever in your back three selections, you’ll be able to slot a couple of those players into the midfield, in the off chance you need the cover.

Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
We can presume that Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw will be filling up two of Joe Schmidt’s spaces in the squad list, so realistically, you’re deciding between the experienced Gordon D’Arcy, the often ignored Darren Cave, or the wildcard Noel Reid.

Noel Reid and Gordon D'Arcy Reid or D'Arcy, or does Darren Cave hold them off? Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

But to pick your centres you have to make considerations right across the backline. Who from your back three can play test rugby in the centre? Who will you be bringing at outhalf (we’ll be opening the floor for that tomorrow), and can they move outside if needed? With places limited, can any of your centres cover 10?

Tell us which of the quintet is nailed on for a place on the squad, and who is dangling by a thread. 

On the plane or out in the cold? We assess Ireland’s World Cup front row options

Before a high ball is launched, pick the back three players you would want in your Rugby World Cup squad

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