Tuesday 1 September 2015 12:09, UK
Prop Cian Healy has been included in Ireland's 31-man World Cup squad, but winger Andrew Trimble misses out, despite having returned to action following a toe injury.
Healy is included after recovering from neck surgery he underwent in May and is on course to make his first appearance of pre-season this Saturday in Ireland's final warm-up Test against England
The versatile Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald, who picked up knocks in Saturday's loss to Wales, have been named in a group of 14 backs that includes just two scrum-halves, allowing Ulster's Darren Cave to travel as specialist cover at inside centre with fly-half Ian Madigan to be an emergency fall-back option at No 9.
In the pack, back-up tight-head props Nathan White and Tadhg Furlong, who have just three caps between them, beat Marty Moore in another tight call after injury kept Moore out of the recent warm-up games.
Paul O'Connell captains Joe Schmidt's squad and the Ireland head coach admitted selecting the squad was one of the most difficult tasks the coaching group have faced.
"The players have worked incredibly hard over the past two months," he said. "Sunday was a difficult and very long day for the coaching team and an anxious one for many players.
"There were some very tight decisions, particularly in the back three and it was also a challenge to make sure that key positions were covered as much as a squad of 31 players allows.
"A number of players were very unlucky to miss selection. We know from observing past World Cups that it's important for us to keep track of their performances because some of them are likely to be involved in the tournament."
Ireland are in Pool D alongside Canada, Romania, Italy and France - their first game of the tournament comes against the Canadians at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff on September 19.
Squad
Forwards: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Paul O'Connell (c), Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Nathan White.
Backs: Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Madigan, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Zebo.
Watch England v Ireland on Sky Sports 1 from 2pm on Saturday
