Gordon D’Arcy still hoping to bow out in style

Gordon D’Arcy will harbour no regrets when his career ends in four months’ time, regardless of whether or not he is selected for Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad.

The Leinster centre signed a short-term extension with the IRFU last season, which will take him up to the end of the tournament in late October, and he will be one of the 45 names included in the preliminary tournament squad to be released today.

The lucky men will congregate in Carton House on Sunday evening for the start of the build-up and D’Arcy – like every other player in contention – has spent the month of June ensuring that he is physically and mentally ready to hit the ground running next week.