Ireland name World Cup training squad

Ireland have named their World Cup training squad with fly-half Ian Keatley being a surprise omission.
The Munster fly-half has found himself in strong competition with Jonny Sexton, Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson who have taken the three fly-half slots in the 45-man training squad.
Paul O’Connell will captain the side but Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock will miss out after breaking his arm playing for Emerging Ireland against Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup last week.
Furthermore Andrew Trimble has recovered from the toe injury that has kept him out of action since October and has been named by head coach Joe Schmidt as an option on the wing.
Schmidt’s back row options have been bolstered with the inclusion of Chris Henry. The Ulster flanker continues his comeback from a mini stroke, having made a return to international rugby last November with a try against the Barbarians.
Ireland will take on Wales, twice, Scotland and England in their warm-up games before the World Cup.
Schmidt commented: “The squad selection has been a long process with some very tight decisions. Some injured players who are getting close to full fitness have been included while others have missed out due to prolonged absence or lack of opportunity to demonstrate their full Test match readiness.
“Rhys Ruddock would have been selected but has been ruled him out after fracturing his arm against Uruguay last week.”
Ireland Training Squad
Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Michael Bent (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Munster) (c), Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster).
Backs: Isaac Boss (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Noel Reid (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
ALEX LAMBE