ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Sep 2, 2019

Bulky South African makes Ireland RWC squad ahead of stalwart Devin Toner

The stand out omission from today’s 31-man Ireland Rugby World Cup squad is Devin Toner, the 33-year-old stalwart that most fans would have fully expected to get on that plane to Japan. Instead, residency qualified Munster lock Jean Kleyn is preferred by coach Joe Schmidt. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Rory Best, set to play in his impressive fourth world cup, will captain the squad.

Six of the squad named featured at the previous two Rugby World Cups (2011 & 2015) – Sean Cronin, Keith Earls, Cian Healy, Rob Kearney, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, while a further five played in the 2015 tournament – Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Robbie Henshaw, Peter O’Mahony and Rhys Ruddock.

The remaining 19 players will be making their Rugby World Cup debuts.

Kleyn, who recently qualified on residency after joining Munster in 2016, made his debut against Italy and was then retained against England. His bulk and power up front is the main reason for his selection ahead of Toner, who has played in 50 of Schmidt’s 67 Tests in charge.

“I’ve coached for ten years. He’s an absolutely quality person. That was an incredibly tough conversation yesterday,” said Schmidt.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland are in Pool A and will play Scotland, Japan, Russia and Samoa.

Ireland’s opening fixture is against Scotland at the Yokohama Stadium in Tokyo. Six days later Ireland will take on tournament hosts Japan in Shizuoka before playing Russia in Kobe the following Thursday. Ireland’s final pool game is against Samoa on Saturday 12thin Fukuoka.

Ireland Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2019

IRELAND v Scotland
Yokohama Stadium, Sunday 22nd September, 2019 KO: 08.45 (Irish Time)

IRELAND v Japan
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Saturday 28th September, 2019 KO: 08.15 (Irish Time)

IRELAND v Russia
Misaki Stadium, Thursday 3rd October, 2019 KO: 11.15 (Irish Time)

ADVERTISEMENT

IRELAND v Samoa
Fukuoka Hakatanomi Stadium, Saturday 12th October, 2019 KO: 11.45 (Irish Time)

Ireland RWC19 Squad

Forwards (17)
Rory Best, CAPTAIN, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, James  Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier

Backs (14)

Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 64 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All