Standby.

Ireland continued their Rugby World Cup preparations this morning with a pitch session ahead of their final warm-up game with Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The squad was 31 players who will be travelling to Japan was named yesterday, but 34 were in camp today with Will Addison, Jordi Murphy and Kieran Marmion all staying on to train should Ireland require any injury replacements.

Schmidt says he spoke to the trio on the phone about missing the cut, noting they reacted “unbelievably.”

“I spoke to them on the phone, I said ‘look, this is not the phone call you want to get, you have fallen outside the squad and there are some narrow margins’.” Ireland head coach Joe Schmdt said

“We discussed a few game-related things with them. Those three guys as young men would be brilliant in the squad, they would contribute without a doubt, but only have 31.

“It’s very easy for some people on sidelines throw barbs on who missed out, you can only find 31 spots, three guys, unbelievably good.

“[We asked them] ‘would you come in train Monday, Tuesday, potentially later in the week?’

“[They replied] ‘be there, no problem’.

“It gives us confidence as well that if we lose someone Saturday, we could definitely lose someone in the tournament, and to have them training and up to speed would be profitable for us.”

Schmidt added that Joey Carbery is the only player who may not be considered for selection this weekend. Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls and Cian Healy are all available for selection.