Ireland's Head Coach, Andy Farrell, says he and the Irish coaching team believe they have selected the right group of players for the Rugby World Cup in France next month.
Farrell announced his 33-player squad for the tournament, and there is little surprise regarding the players heading to France.
However, players like Cian Healy, who played in the Samoa game, have agonizingly missed the cut due to injuries picked up during the match. 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.
Ireland kicks off their World Cup adventure in Bordeaux against Romania on Saturday, September 9
Speaking about Sunday's squad announcement at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, Head Coach Andy Farrell said: “It has been a challenging selection process over the past few weeks because a squad of 43 players have worked extremely hard during an eight-week pre-season period. The group has pushed each other on the pitch and become very close off it.
“As coaches, we are pleased with our 33-player selection and believe we have chosen the right group to represent Ireland in France. It is a tremendously exciting time for the group as we prepare to depart for Tours and finalize our preparations for our Rugby World Cup opener against Romania.
Farrell has also mentioned that he and the team are looking forward to the challenges the tournament will present.
🗣️ “I’m very proud and privileged.”#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/bnkiKDtO7h
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 28, 2023
“We anticipate the challenges ahead, understanding the significant level of support for the team from across the four Provinces, from all those in green around the world, and from the thousands who will be in France supporting us throughout the tournament," he added.
Ireland's captain, Jonathan Sexton, will lead the team and admits he is looking forward to competing against the world's best rugby teams once again: “It is a great honor to lead this group of players to the Rugby World Cup. We have been candid about our ambitions for the weeks ahead and with a strong body of work behind us in pre-season, we are eager to travel to France this week to fine-tune our preparations," Sexton said.
“We are well aware of the challenges ahead, beginning with Romania in our Pool opener. We will tackle each challenge as it comes, drawing on the experiences and lessons we have learned as a group over the last four years. With our supporters traveling in numbers, we will work hard to make this a tournament to remember.”
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)
