Ireland are bringing their strongest ever squad to a World Cup, but there are still plenty left over for a hugely talented side made from those who did not make it.
6 Munster, 4 Ulster, 3 Leinster, 2 Connacht.
Cian Healy - Loose Head Prop
The hardest name to include.
Just one more sleep until he was named in the squad, before his participation against Samoa was ended after just 20 minutes.
Anyone watching could see that it did not look promising for Ireland's most capped forward.
Big shoes for either Dave Kilcoyne or Jeremy Loughman to fill.
26 August 2023; Cian Healy of Ireland wears a moonboot after leaving the field with an injury during the Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Samoa at Parc des Sports Jean Dauger in Bayonne, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Tom Stewart - Hooker
The fact that Stewart was in strong contention to make the squad is a testament to how far he has come this year.
Rob Herring's excellent cameo against Samoa showed that he is still firmly third choice, but given the injury history of Rónan Kelleher, we could very well be seeing Stewart make his World Cup bow at some point over the next few weeks.
John Ryan - Tight Head Prop
Stephen Archer can feel aggrieved not to be selected here, given his remarkable form towards the tail end of the season, where he produced the best rugby of his career and became a vital component of Munster's URC winning side.
However, Ryan had some eye catching performances off the bench during his Super Rugby venture with the Chiefs, and we expect him to be ahead of Archer for Munster next season.
Ross Molony - Lock
There was a strong temptation to put Tom Ahern in one of the second row slots, but Molony and Treadwell have been performing at a high level for a number of seasons in both the Champions Cup and internationally.
Molony will perhaps be frustrated that he did not make Ireland's World Cup training squad, given that he was ahead of Joe McCarthy at Leinster.
Time is running out, but he is still only 29-year-old, and the opportunity to win a first Ireland cap in the coming seasons is very real.
14 August 2023; Ross Molony during Leinster rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Kieran Treadwell - Lock
After an injury ravaged season, the young Joe McCarthy regained his fitness and form to usurp Treadwell in the Irish pecking order.
The Ulsterman is still a fine player and always impresses in green.
Cian Prendergast - Blindside Flanker
Arguably the most unlucky to miss out on the World Cup squad - Cian Healy aside - as it came down to himself vs Stuart McCloskey.
McCloskey is more deserving of his spot, but is still a surprising call to some given the abundance of centres in the squad.
The versatile Prendergast showed out well in his last shot against England, and he will be back in contention for the 2024 Six Nations.
John Hodnett - Openside Flanker
His man-of-the-match display in the URC final put him no.1 in the next generation of Irish back rowers, and many a Munster supporter shared their dismay when he was left out of Ireland's training squad.
A class player to watch, and very much a David Wallace regen; he will have the difficult task next season of warding off challenges from the likes of Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson.
27 May 2023; Man of the match John Hodnett of Munster is interviewed after the United Rugby Championship Final match between DHL Stormers and Munster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Nic Bothma/Sportsfile
Gavin Coombes - Number Eight
There is little more Coombes could done over the past few years to appeal himself to Andy Farrell.
His non-selection for the World Cup squad is understandable given the presence of Caelan Doris and Jack Conan.
However, he should have been given a shot in the warm-up games.
John Cooney - Scrum-Half
Caolin Blade and others have been favoured over Cooney, but he still remains a crucial player with Ulster and still produces talismanic and clutch displays for the province.
Jack Carty - Out-Half
With three out-halves named in the squad, Carty is still far from first in line for a call up should one of them be struck down by injury.
None the less, like his half-back partner Cooney, he remains a top player despite not being in Andy Farrell's plans.
Jacob Stockdale - Left Wing
It was unlikely that Stockdale would be brought, given that James Lowe and Mack Hansen have the two wing spots on lock down, and the experience and mentorship Keith Earls brings to the squad.
However, in his two warm-up outings, he showed that he is on his way back to his best, and at just 27 years of age, a fruitful third chapter to his Ireland career beckons.
Antoine Frisch - Inside Centre
Frisch's presence on last year's Emerging Ireland tour shows that he is part of Andy Farrell's future plans.
But, the unbreakable trio of Ringrose, Henshaw, Aki will be still be going strong for at least another 1-2 seasons.
As good as he and Jamie Osborne have been, do not bank on many Ireland caps in the near future.
29 May 2023; Antoine Frisch is greeted by supporters during the Munster Rugby homecoming as URC Champions at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Jamie Osborne - Outside Centre
Like Frisch, his pathway to the Ireland team is blocked by three consistently world class players, with Stuart McCloskey arguably on their level as well.
He will have to produce something spectacular at Leinster to make any serious in roads internationally, but his versatility could see him push for a spot in the 23.
Andrew Conway - Right Wing
Was in the form of his life, and rightfully keeping Mack Hansen out of the Ireland team, before his injury troubles began.
In his absence, Shane Daly and Calvin Nash have established themselves at Munster, but do not bet against him regaining his place in red.
12 March 2022; Andrew Conway of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Mike Haley - Fullback
The best second best fullback in the country, and, like Coombes and Cooney, can feel rightfully ticked off not to have gotten more opportunities in recent times.
If Hugo Keenan was to get injured, Andy Farrell may regret not showing more interest in Haley.
SEE ALSO: Andy Farrell Had To Talk World Cup Bound Keith Earls Out Of Retiring 18 Months Ago
