Six Ireland players that didn't make Farrell's final cut
With one of the most settled squads in world rugby currently, Andy Farrell Ireland’s weren’t necessarily left with too many hugely contentious World Cup calls to make when he named his 33-man roster yesterday.
While Farrell’s chosen 33 players are set to represent Ireland on the global stage, there were at least six notable omissions that will be feeling the pain of missing a World Cup.
Below is a closer look at some of the players who narrowly missed out on a spot in the squad.
1. Cian Healy – injury strikes
Although playing second fiddle to Andrew Porter, Healy’s absence is a bitter pill to swallow for both the player and fans of the veteran loosehead. A stalwart of the Irish front row, Healy’s unfortunate injury against Samoa in Bayonne over the weekend has dashed his World Cup dreams. The early prognosis is that he might be available for the end of the tournament, should Ireland need to call up a prop.
2. Jacob Stockdale – defensive troubles
One missed tackle can alter the course of a career, as Jacob Stockdale discovered. If you had to pin the tail on the donkey of when the Ulsterman’s World Cup selection goose was cooked, it was his glaring missed tackle on Italy’s Lorenzo Pani in their first warm-up in Dublin. He showed flashes of the attacking flair of old, but clearly not enough to beat the super-consistent Keith Earls to the plane.
3. Ciaran Frawley – McCloskey’s moment
Many people – this writer included – fancied that Farrell might opt for the positional versatility and kicking ability of Leinster’s Ciaran Frawley over the physicality of Stuart McCloskey, but the solid Ulsterman won the battle for fourth centre berth. Any injury in the back division and you fancy Frawley is the next cab off the rank.
4. Cian Prendergast – back row battle
The competition for back row places in this Ireland squad is particularly fierce, and Cian Prendergast found himself edged out of the squad despite an impressive late run. He brought huge energy to the table but he was always long odds to break into Ireland’s settled back row. Prendergast could yet get a late call if Jack Conan falls to recover.
5. Tom Stewart – Sheehan’s understudy
Tom Stewart’s hopes were dashed as Farrell confirmed that he will bring his first-choice hooker to France despite concerns surrounding the fitness of superstar front row Dan Sheehan, who’s timeline for recovery remains unclear.
6. Jordan Larmour – A struggle for game time
Despite being a dynamic attacking threat, Jordan Larmour faced an uphill battle after recovering from injury earlier this season. His inability to recapture his early career form in the limited time available to him likely influenced Farrell’s decision, and he didn’t feature across the Rugby World Cup warm-ups despite being part of the wider squad.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments