Ryan is a rock in the scrum and good defensively, but has also improved his presence and overall effectiveness as a ball carrier, and will surely see some game time in the pool stages. When you have reset your password, you can, Please choose a screen name. Parc y Scarlets would qualify on the list considered by players to be 'a hard place to go.' What I would do for that now. Rob Kearney’s worth to Ireland is perhaps best shown when he isn’t in the team - nobody else can match his aerial ability or offer the same stability in the backfield as the Leinster fullback. Age: 27 Height: 6’1” Weight: 119kg (18st, 8lbs) Caps: 35. On his return to fitness the 26-year-old enjoyed a fine end to the season with his province - he remains a livewire around the fringes, but his kicking and game management have improved, while his relationship with Johnny Sexton is now approaching symbiotic. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho, Age: 29 Height: 6’ Weight: 101kg (15st 12lbs) Caps: 19. Ireland can lay claim to a host of genuinely world class players, and a select few who would walk into any team in the world. Porter has speed around the park and is mobile as well as physical. PICTURE the scene. He is still only 22-years-old - a boy, a man and a machine all at the same time. Age: 29 Height: 6’3” Weight: 107kg (16st, 9lbs) Caps: 59. Team profiles, group predictions, match previews and analysis, stats, fixtures & results and much much more in our World Cup site. In classic Kiwi style his offloading is excellent, and he is lethal with the try line in sight.

The long term understudy to Rory Best, Cronin fell out of favour towards the end of the Six Nations, with Niall Scannell taking his place on the bench for the final two fixtures against France and Wales. However, when he is fit, there is no doubting Ringrose is Ireland’s first choice centre. Consistency and timing have been key for Connacht’s Jack Carty, who took advantage of Joey Carbery’s injury to be selected as Johnny Sexton’s understudy for Ireland’s final three Six Nations matches. Perhaps lucky to have been selected ahead of Will Addison, he travels as one of four midfield options. Age: 23 Height: 6’3” Weight: 103kg (16st, 3lbs) Caps: 21. Premium. Retirement beckons for Rory Best after the Rugby World Cup, and Ireland’s captain is looking to end a glorious career on the highest of highs in Japan.

Having made his debut in 2015, 2017 was Furlong’s real breakthrough year, and he has gone from strength-to-strength ever since.

Rhys Ruddock’s international career looked to be on life support, but the Leinster flanker finds himself on the plane to Japan - partly due to injuries, partly down to his consistency in the blue of Leinster.

Kilcoyne’s main issue has always been the fact he is competing with Cian Healy and Jack McGrath for the number one jersey. All you need to know about the Ireland Six Nations squad with profiles of all the players Age: 30 Height: 6’2” Weight: 93kg (14st, 7lbs) Caps: 73. What cannot be taught is his scintillating footwork, and his thrilling ability to dance out of trouble in the tightest of spaces.

Age: 22 Height: 5’10” Weight: 90kg (14st, 2lbs) Caps: 15.

His set-piece prowess has been seen as his main asset but his effectiveness with the ball in hand is something he has steadily improved. Age: 29 Height: 6’1” Weight: 114kg (17st, 11lbs) Caps: 32. Jordan Larmour has been a regular face in the Ireland squad since making his debut in the 2018 Six Nations, and while far from the finished product he possesses a frightening amount of potential. The 2018-19 campaign was a strange one for Conor Murray, with rumours abounding as a mysterious neck injury kept him out of action until February and saw him miss the November Tests - including the victory over the All Blacks.

However, Schmidt has kept faith in his new man, who is now under serious pressure to perform. We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the, For the best site experience please enable JavaScript in your browser settings, Scottish Rugby Union ‘expresses regret’ over Storm Hagibis comments, Eddie Jones regrets not making changes for World Cup final, World Rugby reprimand Scotland for Storm Hagibis comments, Keith Duggan: Ireland cruelly denied the possible prospect of a beautiful summer. Age: 23 Height: 6’8” Weight: 113kg (17st, 9lbs) Caps: 18. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Jean Kleyn is perhaps one of the most surprising inclusions in Joe Schmidt’s squad, given he only made his Ireland debut in August and his selection has led directly to the omission of Devin Toner. This is despite McGrath picking up a knee ligament injury in a Champions Cup fixture against Toulouse in January, which deprived him of playing a key role during the Six Nations. He is a stunning player to watch on both sides of the ball, with his intelligent lines, graceful stride and balletic feet making him one of Ireland’s greatest running threats. Premium, Six Nations The 26-year-old was sent home from the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand before missing the last three games of the 2018 Grand Slam, as well as the autumn win over the All Blacks. However, the 119-time capped hooker’s experience will be vital to Ireland’s cause this autumn. Traditionally a loosehead, Porter has grafted hard to turn himself into a tighthead, but remains of more value in his traditional position - as highlighted by his recent contribution against Wales in Cardiff. It is Beirne’s work on the floor which catches the eye - he is an excellent scavenger, with his trademark blue scrumcap often appearing from the bottom of a ruck having earned his side a turnover. However, he remains a in the mix to don the green number seven jersey against Scotland - an athletic presence around the park, he is superb on the floor and a relentless tackler. Cheslin Kolbe got Toulouse off to a perfect start on Saturday against La Rochelle scoring in the 11th minute of the game... Leinster’s sombre exit from the Champions Cup yesterday heralded the conclusion of a noteworthy rugby career, that of Rob Kearney’s. At the head of the queue is Niall Scannell, who leapfrogged Sean Cronin during the Six Nations after delivering consistently impressive performances in the red of Munster. If more power is needed then there remains the option to throw him in the backrow - but it’s a secondrow partnership with Ryan which will really frighten the rest of the world. Follow London Irish for the latest match, player and training updates. With Rory Best bowing out at the end of the Rugby World Cup, and his recent form coming under real scrutiny, the chance to take the number two jersey in both the long and short term is there for one of his understudies. Age: 29 Height: 6’3” Weight: 111kg (17st, 5lbs) Caps: 22.

The Munster man has been virtually ever-present during the Joe Schmidt era, with his versatility allowing him to play across the back three and occasionally in midfield - as well as his usual spot on the wing. The 33-year-old has come through battles with injury in fine style - 2018 was a particularly impressive renaissance, as he started every game of the Grand Slam win, all three Tests away to Australia and the victory over the All Blacks. Scannell has struggled with injuries but at 27-years-old is approaching his prime. One of those is Furlong, the best tighthead on the planet and the perfect modern day prop. Murray returned for the Six Nations and started all five of Ireland’s matches, but often appeared far from his best. The emergence of Andrew Porter has increased the competition at tighthead, but both have earned their place in Japan.