O'Sullivan trims Rugby World Cup squad

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has trimmed his Rugby World Cup squad down to 37 players from the original training squad of 48 for next week's test match against Scotland.

The entire Rugby World Cup squad were put through their paces during a productive week long camp in the University of Limerick, but with the first warm up game against Scotland on Saturday August 11, the Ireland coach felt that it would be better to bring the numbers down for the team selection of that game.

O'Sullivan said: "The team to play Scotland will be selected from the 37-man squad named today. While the players that have been omitted may come back into the squad in case of injuries, it would be fair to say that these 37 players will form the basis of our final Rugby World Cup squad selection."

"All of the squad have worked extremely hard this week and this has put us into a good position as regard the quality of our training. The game against Scotland will be the last chance we have to look at players before we name our 30-man squad. After that, there will be some very difficult decisions to be made."

The Ireland squad all trained today in the University of Limerick as the rugby sessions continued.

Gordon D'Arcy and David Wallace, who were both carrying minor calf and ankle injuries respectively, both took part in the session.

Ronan O'Gara sat out today's session as he continues to recover from his minor knee injury.

In other injury news, Tommy Bowe picked up a slight calf strain and Ryan Caldwell was injured during a continuity contact session. He has been diagnosed with concussion and has been taken to hospital where he will remain overnight for precautionary reasons.

The squad will next be in camp in Dublin where the team to play Scotland will be selected on Tuesday, August 7.

Forwards (22):

Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster

Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster

Simon Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster

Leo Cullen Blackrock College/Leinster

Simon Easterby Llanelli

Stephen Ferris Dungannon/Ulster

Jerry Flannery Shannon/Munster

Keith Gleeson St.Mary's College/Leinster

John Hayes Bruff/Munster

Jamie Heaslip Clontarf/Leinster

Trevor Hogan Shannon/Leinster

Marcus Horan Shannon/Munster

Bernard Jackman Clontarf/Leinster

Denis Leamy Cork Constitution/Munster

Donncha O'Callaghan Cork Constitution/Munster

Paul O'Connell Young Munster/Munster

Mick O'Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster

Malcolm O'Kelly St.Mary's College/Leinster

Alan Quinlan Shannon/Munster

Frankie Sheahan Cork Constitution/Munster

David Wallace Garryowen/Munster

Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster

Backs (15):

Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster

Tommy Bowe Belfast Harlequins/Ulster

Brian Carney Clonakilty/Munster

Gordon D'Arcy Lansdowne/Leinster

Girvan Dempsey Terenure College/Leinster

Gavin Duffy Galwegians/Connacht

Shane Horgan Lansdowne/Leinster

Denis Hickie St. Mary's College/Leinster

Geordan Murphy Leicester

Brian O'Driscoll UCD/Leinster

Ronan O'Gara Cork Constitution/Munster

Eoin Reddan Wasps

Peter Stringer Shannon/Munster

Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster

Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster

Not Considered due to injury:

Shane Jennings St.Mary's College/Leinster

Barry Murphy U.L. Bohemians/Munster