Cian Healy Out of World Cup; Athy's Loughman in; also Eadestown pair O'Brien and Beirne

Sunday, 27 August 2023 16:54

By Clem Ryan

Healy injured in last night's win over Samoa; Keith Earls goes to 4th World Cup; Stockdale on standby list.

Cian Healy is out of Ireland's squad for the Rugby World Cup due to the injury sustained against Samoa on Saturday.

The 35-year-old suffered a lower leg injury after a collapsed scrum midway through the first half of the 17-13 victory, and had to be helped from the field while he appeared to be unable to put weight on his right leg.

As a result of Healy missing out, Athy’s Jeremy Loughman is included, with Andy Farrell opting for a split of 18 forwards and 15 backs.

Two other Kildare players, both from Eadestown Jimmy O’Brien and Tadhg Beirne are included, as expected.

Keith Earls has pipped Jacob Stockdale for the final wing spot to go to his fourth World Cup.

Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and the versatile O'Brien also make up the back-three options.

Stuart McCloskey has also been included, joining Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw as centre options.

Farrell has picked three scrum-halves and three out-halves - Johnny Sexton, Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray and Craig Casey are the scrum-halves.

Ireland Squad

Forwards (18):
Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham,Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, David Kilcoyne, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.

Backs (15):
Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton.