Breaking Cian Healy ruled out as World Cup squad announced

Cian Healy has been excluded from Ireland's squad for the Rugby World Cup due to the injury sustained against Samoa on Saturday.

The 35-year-old suffered a lower leg injury after a collapsed scrum midway through the first half of the 17-13 victory, and had to be helped from the field while he appeared to be unable to put weight on his right leg.

As a result of Healy missing out, Jeremy Loughman has earned a spot in a forward division with head coach Andy Farrell opting for a split of 18 forwards and 15 backs.

Keith Earls has pipped Jacob Stockdale for the final wing spot, despite sitting out yesterday's win against Samoa with a minor injury.

"He obviously devastated, as we are as a group for him."

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been reacting to the news that Cian Healy is not fit to take his place in the World Cup squad. pic.twitter.com/QQzPDCBaCs

Stockdale filled in for Earls on the left wing, but will have to settle for a place on the standby list, as Earls now heads to his fourth World Cup. Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and the versatile Jimmy O'Brien also make up the back-three options.

Stuart McCloskey has also been included as one of four centres, joining Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw, while Ciarán Frawley misses out.

There were no surprises in Farrell's half-back selections, where Farrell has picked three scrum-halves and three out-halves. Captain Johnny Sexton will be supplemented by Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray and Craig Casey are the scrum-half options.

Seventeen of the 33-man squad will be heading to their first Rugby World Cup.

Ireland begin their World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on Saturday 9 September.

Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup