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Paul O’Connell will captain Ireland at the upcoming Rugby World Cup it was confirmed today. The former Munster and now Toulon second-rower is to play in his fourth Rugby World Cup but this will be his first without the retired Brian O’Driscoll.
O’Connell will lead a 31-man squad featuring 17 forwards with he being the most capped with 103 test matches to his name. After the World Cup he will retire from international duty and is the only Irish player named for the world Cup that will be playing for a team other than one of the four provinces of Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
Newcomers to Rugby World Cups include Darren Cave, Luke Fitzgerald, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Peter O’Mahony, Jared Payne, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Nathan White, and Simon Zebo.
Meanwhile Head Coach Joe Schmidt has made the decision to not select either Andrew Trimble or Gordon D’Arcy, two of Ireland’s most experienced backs.
Included are players born and raised from outside of Ireland who qualify based on the eligibility laws. Instances are Jared Payne, Richardt Strauss and Nathan White.
Ireland are favorites to finish in the top two of Pool D to secure a Quarter Finals birth. Additional participants include Canada, France, Italy and Romania. Ireland’s campaign with only involve matches in Cardiff and London with the opening fixture being against Canada in the Welsh capital on day two of the World Cup.
FORWARDS
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht), Rory Best (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leicester), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Paul O’Connell (capt., Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster).
BACKS
Conor Murray (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing), Darren Cave (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Jared Payne (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster), Simon Zebo (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster).
