JOE SCHMIDT IS set to spring a surprise omission in his 31-man Ireland squad for the World Cup with Devin Toner likely to miss out in the second row.
The 33-year-old has essentially been an ever-present figure during Schmidt’s tenure but is now set to be left out, with Munster’s twice-capped Jean Kleyn instead looking likely to travel to Japan.
Meanwhile, The42 understands that Leinster’s Luke McGrath is set to edge out Kieran Marmion of Connacht for the second scrum-half spot in Schmidt’s squad.
Marmion has been a regular presence in Schmidt’s group in recent years but it now looks as though McGrath’s excellent performances in pre-season training, as well as his form for Leinster last season, have won him the chance to back-up Conor Murray.
Munster man Tadhg Beirne is also set to travel with Ireland, covering the second row and blindside flanker, while Rhys Ruddock is another man who appears to have earned the nod from Schmidt among the back row options.
Ruddock’s possible inclusion looks to have come at a cost for the versatile Jordi Murphy, who could miss out.
Connacht’s Jack Carty looks set to travel as Ireland’s third out-half option, having pushed ahead of Ross Byrne, while Jordan Larmour and Andrew Conway appear to have earned spots amongst the back three players.
Will Addison is expected to be named as a fourth centre, while also covering the back three positions, with Chris Farrell possible unlucky to miss out.
Schmidt is due to officially confirm his 31-man World Cup squad on Sunday.
Possible Ireland 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, Will Addison
Back threes (5): Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway.
