Joe Schmidt today announced his squad for the upcoming November test series, including that ominous/bonus clash with the All Blacks at Soldier Field.
It's a 34 man squad, six of whom are uncapped players: Garry Ringrose, Joey Carbery, James Tracy, Billy Holland, Luke McGrath and John Ryan.
The squad is made up of 16 Leinster players, eight and seven from Munster and Ulster respectively, with the remaining three slots filled by Connacht players.
The relatively poor Connacht representation (Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane) has been one of the main talking points following the squad's announcement, and it cut ice in the comments beneath our original post of the squad announcement.
Here's a sample of the reaction:
Not everybody agreed, mind:
In places outside of our comment boxes (yeah, apparently there are others?) fans found fault with the Leinster/Connacht imbalance, the lack of Stuart Olding and wondered if we have seen the last of Mike Ross in a green jersey:
Rob Kearney over Tiernan O'Halloran #connacht #Irishrugby pic.twitter.com/Q7h5dIPjPV
— Liam G (@wp_rathead) October 26, 2016
Heartbroken to see Mike Ross missing out on the squad. It had to end sometime, but he's been an absolute rock.
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) October 26, 2016
Mike Ross the biggest causality. Disappointing not to see Stuart Olding included. Hip flexor injury may be more serious than first thought.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) October 26, 2016
Sorry! Is it a joke? Why my @Ian_madigan is not in the Irish team? It's not possible.. It's a big mistake! #BestPlayer
— Marina_Rock 💫 (@Marina_Ghost) October 26, 2016
No room for Rob Herring, Sean Reidy, Stuart Olding or Tommy Bowe - four players you thought might be in with a shot of the squad
— Adam McKendry (@admckendry) October 26, 2016
