Ferris: Fringe players need to be 'part of the journey'

While Andy Farrell is showing Tonga maximum respect in fielding close to a full-strength side for their meeting on Saturday, Stephen Ferris warns that the coach must be wary of a repeat of the 'Bordeaux Four' of 2007.

With Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey and Ross Byrne all named on the bench, it leaves Stuart McCloskey and Jimmy O'Brien, as well as injured pair Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan, as the only players who are yet to feature for Ireland at the tournament.

In 2007, Ferris was part of what would later become known as the 'Bordeaux Four' along with Alan Quinlan, Bryan Young and Bryan Carney, who didn't get any gametime at the tournament.

And speaking on Thursday's RTÉ Rugby podcast, the former Ireland flanker, says Farrell needs to get the balance right between picking a strong team and keeping his 33-man squad motivated.

"It's very strong," Ferris said of the Ireland starting XV for tomorrow's meeting with Tonga.

"Fingers crossed we don’t have a repeat of the 'Bordeaux Four’ from 2007, because it is important that guys do feel like they are part of this journey.

"Are those four lads going to get their opportunity after this game? Potentially not.

"Stuart McCloskey, could he be put onto the bench in a game against South Africa or Scotland? Probably not.

"It’s all about winning a World Cup and you have to put your best team out there, but at the same time it’s important to keep the group happy and keep everybody feeling a part of it."

Bernard Jackman joined Ferris on the podcast, and said that barring injury it's unlikely we'll see O'Brien or McCloskey in the remaining pool games against South Africa or Scotland.

"Jimmy O'Brien may even come onto the bench if there’s an injury, but I just don’t see Stuart