Ireland will keep options open as regards rugby world cup squad until bitter end: Andy Farrell

The pressure may be on for Ireland’s World Cup hopefuls to press their claims for a seat on the plane to Japan next month but Andy Farrell has insisted the national team management will not ease the agony for their players until the very last minute.

In the absence of head coach Joe Schmidt due to a family bereavement, defence coach Farrell presided over yesterday’s team announcement for Ireland’s Guinness Summer Series opening game against Italy in Dublin on Saturday (2pm).