Andy Farrell 'open-minded' as he considers World Cup squad

Andy Farrell insists he's going into the Rugby World Cup warm-up games with an open mind around selection.

The Six Nations Grand Slam champions take on Italy in the first of three warm-up matches this Saturday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with several fringe players being given an opportunity to impress.

Some of those are established internationals - Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale both make returns to the green jersey - while debutants Calvin Nash, Ciarán Frawley and Tom Stewart are among nine players in the matchday squad who have fewer than 10 caps.

Given Ireland's rise to number one in the world rankings over the last year, a clear pecking order has emerged in certain positions in the squad

And with Farrell eventually having to cut his 42-man squad down to 33 by the end of August, the head coach insists selection is not a closed shop.

"It is open because it has to be, to give people a fair opportunity you've got to be open-minded," he said.

"If I am [open-minded], everyone else will be as well. Hence, everyone’s excited to get going."

Farrell (below) says he's yet to decide whether or not he'll whittle down his squad gradually before finally settling on a final 33.

However, he knows that some of those who don't make the final cut are still likely to feature at the World Cup, given the attritional nature of the game.

"There's also people on the outside of those [42] who have unbelievably unlucky.

"People nursing injuries, people we believe are on the way back from from a difficult time last year.

"People who have got money in the bank as well, you know, are certainly in the reckoning if they are fit and able.

"This World Cup – I'm not at good at predicting anyway but if I was a betting man I’d think that there will be more