DUBLIN (AP) - Ireland left behind flyhalf Paddy Jackson and flankers Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony when it headed to Chicago on Monday for a test against New Zealand at Soldier Field this weekend.
Coach Joe Schmidt reduced his squad from 34 players to 27, and also trimmed were Keith Earls, Iain Henderson, Luke Marshall, and uncapped hooker James Tracy.
Jackson was unavailable for personal reasons, meaning flyhalf Joey Carbery, who turns 21 on Tuesday, could make his Ireland debut from the reserves. Carbery, chosen ahead of France-based Ian Madigan, was the likely backup to Leinster clubmate Jonathan Sexton.
The match with the All Blacks on Saturday was too early for O’Brien and O’Mahony. Both returned to action only this month; O’Brien after eight months out with hamstring issues, and O’Mahony after a year following a knee injury in the Rugby World Cup. Ireland hope both will be fit for the return match against New Zealand on Nov. 19 at Lansdowne Road.
Earls was suspended, and flanker-cum-lock Henderson (shoulder) and Marshall (knee) were injured.
Beside Carbery, other uncapped players in the squad were Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath and center Garry Ringrose, and Munster tighthead prop John Ryan and lock Billy Holland.
___
Ireland: Finlay Bealham, Rory Best (captain), Joey Carbery, Sean Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Tadgh Furlong, Craig Gilroy, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Robbie Henshaw, Billy Holland, Rob Kearney, Kieran Marmion, Jack McGrath, Luke McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Garry Ringrose, Donnacha Ryan, John Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Andrew Trimble, Josh van der Flier, Simon Zebo.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.