5 Players Unlucky To Miss Out On Joe Schmidt’s Ireland Squad

The Ireland Coaching Team today announced a squad of 34 players that will prepare for the fixture against New Zealand on Saturday 5th November.

The squad will gather in Carton House on Sunday 30th October following the Guinness Pro12 fixtures between Ulster and Munster (Friday 19.05) and Leinster and Connacht (Saturday 17.15). The team will then depart Dublin for Chicago on Monday 31st.

There are six uncapped players named among the 34 man squad – Joey Carbery, Billy Holland, Luke McGrath, Garry Ringrose, John Ryan and James Tracy. Schmidt has the luxury of almost a full compliment of players to choose from for the first time in what seems an age.

As a result, there are plenty of players who will feel unlucky to have missed out. We’ve narrowed it down to five players who will no doubt consider themselves really unlucky.

Tiernan O’Halloran

The Connacht flyer must be thinking what does he have to do to oust Rob Kearney. The Leinster man has struggled with form, while the Connacht fullback has flourished.

Dave Kilcoyne

The Munster loosehead had arguably his best game in recent years this past weekend. Still hasn’t been given a proper chance with Ireland since making his debut in 2012 and deserves an extended run at test level.

Tommy O’Donnell

The Munster flanker has been in flying form since his return from injury. O’Donnell made himself unavailable for the South Africa tour as he was getting married, but the return of Sean O’Brien has taken the decision from his this time round.

Niyi Adeolokun

Prolific Connacht winger, Niyi Adeolokun should also feel disappointed at missing out on the 34-man squad today having been called into a mini camp at Carton House early this month. Should get his chance in green for the Canada game.

Mike Ross

After John Ryan’s inspirational display on Saturday, crushing the Glasgow front row, a call-up was inevitable. Ireland have always struggled in the specialised tighthead role so bringing in the 28 year-old Ryan instead of a 36 year-old Ross was a clever move. Ross however up until the second Test against the Springboks in June, Ross held the remarkable record of starting every single match of the Joe Schmidt era. Unlucky that is now seems his Ireland career may be over.