O'Sullivan announces squad choices for World Cup

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is bringing Geordan Murphy, Gavin Duffy and Brian Carney with him to the Rugby World Cup, although Tommy Bowe will travel and train with the squad as emergency cover for Shane Horgan.

The big Leinster wing tore a ligament in his knee during the warm-up last weekend at Murrayfield and will be out of action for about four weeks. He should be back into contention for the Georgia pool game.

In the forwards, O'Sullivan opted to take only three locks, with Alan Quinlan also offering cover in that area.

Stephen Ferris took the last back row spot, while Munster hooker Frankie Sheehan got the nod, as expected, ahead of Bernard Jackman.

The players who missed out are Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Mick O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Keith Gleeson, and Bernard Jackman, while Tommy Bowe is in limbo.

Brian O'Driscoll will miss Ireland's opening game in the Rugby World Cup against Namibia due to his sinus fracture, sustained when he was punched during Thursday night's win over Bayonne in the south of France.

It had been feared the sinus injury could have ruled O'Driscoll out of the tournament completely, but according to the Irish camp, the centre will be back to face Georgia on September 15.