Joe Schmidt opts for eight rookies

Joe Schmidt has thrown the gauntlet down to Ireland’s World Cup 2019 hopefuls to cope with Japan’s unique rugby conditions and also challenged a string of second-row forwards to fill the remaining vacancy on next month’s tour.

Schmidt yesterday named a 31-player squad for the three-Test summer tour of the US and World Cup hosts Japan, including eight uncapped players in the Ireland party.

There were no places for seasoned internationals Jamie Heaslip, Sean Cronin, and Rob Kearney, deemed not to have returned to peak fitness following injuries.