Ireland's World Cup squad was selected by Andy Farrell on Sunday evening. The 33-player Irish squad will be captained by Johnny Sexton.
Cian Healy, who played in the Samoa game, has agonisingly missed the cut due to an injury he picked up during the game. Munster's Jeremy Loughman has been called up in his place. Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale has also failed to make the team, with Munster's Keith Earls securing that spot.
The rest of the squad is brimming with Rugby World Cup experience. Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Robbie Henshaw, and Peter O’Mahony are set for their third tournament. Furthermore, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Garry Ringrose, and Josh van der Flier all participated in the Japan tournament four years ago.
Our 33-player squad for Rugby World Cup! ☘️ #TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 27, 2023
The rest of the squad, comprises of 18 players, who will make their Rugby World Cup debuts in France. Among these are forwards Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Jeremy Loughman, Caelan Doris, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Tom O’Toole, and Dan Sheehan. Joining them are backs Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, and Jimmy O’Brien. These selections come on the heels of Ireland's impressive Bank of Ireland Nations Series victories over Italy, England, and Samoa.
Ireland get their World Cup adventure up and running in Bordeaux against Romania on Saturday, September 9
Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup 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
Ireland Fixtures, Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B:
- Ireland v Romania, Saturday 9 September, Stade de Bordeaux (2.30pm Irish time/3.30pm local time)
- Ireland v Tonga, Saturday 16 September, Stade de la Beaujoire (8pm Irish time/9pm local time)
- Ireland v South Africa, Saturday 23 September, Stade de France (8pm Irish time/9pm local time)
- Ireland v Scotland, Saturday 7 October, Stade de France (8pm Irish time/9pm local time)
