Keatley a surprise omission from Irish World Cup Squad

By Kevin Murphy

Munster’s Ian Keatley has missed out on a place in Joe Schmidt’s 45-man squad for the eagerly anticipated Rugby World Cup.

The extended squad has two uncapped players, in prop Tadgh Furlong and number eight Jack Conan while the injured Rhys Ruddock was also extremely unfortunate according to Schmidt.

Ian Keatley kicking for Ireland during this year's Six Nations Championship.

The Kiwi explained: “Rhys Ruddock would have been selected but has been ruled out after fracturing his arm against Uruguay last week.”

Keatley was the starting outhalf for Ireland in their latest Six Nations Championship victory over Italy and kicked 14 points when winning his fourth cap.

Schmidt has included Johnny Sexton, Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson and all three are expected to be named, when the 31 players declared for the World Cup on September 5.

Schmidt explained: “The squad selection has been a long process with some very tight decisions. Some injured players who are getting close to full fitness have been included while others have missed out due to prolonged absence or lack of opportunity to demonstrate their full Test match readiness.”

The New Zealander has presided over an Ireland team that has won successive Six Nations Championships titles in 2014 and 2015 and lies third in the world rankings.