Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has announced his 31-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in Japan, which includes Munster lock Jean Kleyn.
Schmidt, who originally wanted to publically name his squad on Sunday, has opted for a conventional 17-14 split between forwards and backs, but made a bold call in leaving out Devin Toner.
The 33-year-old has played 63 Tests for Ireland, but will not be on the plane to Japan despite his noted lineout and restart expertise.
Instead, former Stormers lock Kleyn is named in the squad, while Tadhg Beirne will double as both lock and flank.
Rob Herring, Jack McGrath, Finlay Bealham, Tommy O’Donnell, Ross Byrne and Dave Kearney, Jordi Murphy and Kieran Marmion are also notable names to miss out.
Sean Cronin, Rhys Ruddock, Luke McGrath, Jack Carty and Andrew Conway have all been included.
Ireland will be led by Rory Best, who will be travelling to his fourth World Cup.
Six players in the squad featured at the previous two World Cups (2011, 2015) – Cronin, Keith Earls, Cian Healy, Rob Kearney, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, while a further five played in the 2015 tournament – Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Robbie Henshaw, Peter O’Mahony and Ruddock.
The remaining 19 members of the squad will be playing in their first-ever World Cup.
Ireland World Cup squad:
Forwards – Rory Best, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Can Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, James Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier.
Backs – Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale.
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