JOE SCHMIDT HAS officially confirmed his 31-man Ireland squad for the 2019 World Cup, with second row Devin Toner missing out.
The 67-times capped lock has been an influential figure for much of Schmidt’s tenure but has been omitted from the group to travel to Japan, with James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne selected as lock options.
Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion is also unlucky to miss out, with Leinster’s Luke McGrath named ahead of him as one of two scrum-halves along with Conor Murray.
Munster’s Chris Farrell, meanwhile, has been included as a fourth centre option with Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose.
Rhys Ruddock is named among five back row players, with Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier also included. Ulster man Jordi Murphy is among those to miss out.
Captain Rory Best is one of three hookers alongside Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin.
Andrew Conway is among the back three options, with Ulster’s Will Addison missing out on making the final squad, as Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, and Jordan Larmour are named.
Jack Carty takes the third out-half slot behind Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery.
Ireland’s 2019 World Cup squad:
Hookers (3): Rory Best, Niall Scannell, Sean Cronin
Props (5): Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, John Ryan, Andrew Porter
Locks (4): James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne
Back rows (5): Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock
Scrum-halves (2): Conor Murray, Luke McGrath
Out-halves (3): Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty
Centres (4): Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Chris Farrell
Back threes (5): Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway.
