There are some Irish rugby fans who still haven't come to terms with the fact that Ireland will be going to a Rugby World Cup for the first time in the professional era without one Brian O'Driscoll, but when Joe Schmidt names his squad on Tuesday, that is what's going to happen.
In fact, Schmidt is probably ringing the unlucky players right now giving the bad news. It's an interesting timing then for the great man himself to give us his opinion on who are the 31 players that Joe Schmidt will bring.
His most controversial selections are the absense of a prop who plays both sides - whilst remaining with just five props in the squad. O'Driscoll also figures that Moore won't be risked with his fitness concerns, and that Nathan White has done enough.
Other than that Felix Jones and Andrew Trimble are notable absentees from the back three selections - which might upset some, but that's what our predictions were as well.
You can view his rational for his decisions here.
Brian O'Driscoll RWC 2015 Ireland Squad:
Backs :
Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Dave Kearney, Keith Earls, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss.
Forwards :
Jack McGrath, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Ross, Nathan White, Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Paul O’Connell, Donncha Ryan, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahoney, Sean O’Brien, Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip
[BrianODriscoll.com]
See Also: Predicting Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad
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Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
