Autumn Nations Series | Ireland World Cup squad: Healy ruled out through late injury

by Ben Hart

Cian Healy has been left out of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad after an injury he sustained in Saturday’s victory over Samoa.

Prop Healy limped off in the first half of the 17-13 win with a lower leg problem and has not been included in Andy Farrell’s 33-man squad, with Munster’s Jeremy Loughman taking the third loosehead spot behind Andrew Porter and Dave Kilcoyne.

Johnny Sexton, who has missed the Summer Nations Series due to a misconduct charge, has been named as captain ahead of his final campaign in the famous green.

Centre Robbie Henshaw and hooker Dan Sheehan both make the squad despite injury concerns, while centurion Keith Earls is favoured ahead of Jacob Stockdale.

The Ireland squad depart Dublin for their base camp in Tours on Thursday, as preparations step up a gear for the Rugby World Cup Pool B opener against Romania in Bordeaux on Saturday, 9 September.

Gutted for you, Cian – we’re all behind you in your recovery! 💚#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/xMZknGk6rO

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 27, 2023

Sexton is one of three Ireland players set to appear at their fourth Rugby World Cup, with the captain having featured at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions alongside Conor Murray and Earls.

There is a wealth of Rugby World Cup experience throughout the 33-player travelling squad, as Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Robbie Henshaw and Peter O’Mahony prepare for their third global tournament, while Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier were all involved in Japan four years ago.

The remaining 18 players in Farrell’s squad will be making their Rugby World Cup debuts in France. Forwards Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Jeremy Loughman, Caelan Doris, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Tom O’Toole and Dan Sheehan and backs Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe and Jimmy O’Brien all earn selection following Ireland’s Summer Nations Series wins over Italy, England and Samoa.

Finishing the pre-season block with a record 13th straight win! 🙌#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/KxEiOxn3gC

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 26, 2023

Ireland open their Pool B campaign against Romania at Stade de Bordeaux, before taking on Tonga in their second outing in Nantes on Saturday, 16 September.

Farrell’s side then move on to the Stade de France in Paris for clashes against defending champions South Africa on Saturday, 23 September and Scotland a fortnight later.

Commenting on the squad announcement, Farrell said: “It has been a difficult selection process over the last number of weeks because a squad of 43 players have worked extremely hard throughout an eight-week pre-season period, with the group pushing each other on the pitch and becoming 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 hugely exciting time for the group as we prepare to depart for Tours and finalise our preparations for our Rugby World Cup opener against Romania.”

IRELAND 33-MAN SQUAD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP

Forwards (18):

Ryan Baird (Leinster, 13 caps)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht, 32 caps)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster, 41 caps)
Jack Conan (Leinster, 39 caps)
Caelan Doris (Leinster, 31 caps)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster, 67 caps)
Iain Henderson (Ulster, 74 caps)
Rob Herring (Ulster, 37 caps)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster, 21 caps)
David Kilcoyne (Munster, 52 caps)
Jeremy Loughman (Munster, 3 caps)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster, 3 caps)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster, 96 caps)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster, 11 caps)
Andrew Porter (Leinster, 54 caps)
James Ryan (Leinster, 55 caps)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster, 18 caps)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster, 52 caps)

Backs (15):

Bundee Aki (Connacht, 47 caps)
Ross Byrne (Leinster, 21 caps)
Craig Casey (Munster, 12 caps)
Jack Crowley (Munster,6 caps)
Keith Earls (Munster, 100 caps)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster, 26 caps)
Mack Hansen (Connacht, 16 caps)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster, 64 caps)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster, 31 caps)
James Lowe (Leinster, 21 caps)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster, 13 caps)
Conor Murray (Munster, 106 caps)
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster, 6 caps)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster, 51 caps)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster, captain, 113 caps)