Strength in depth in Irish rugby means World Cup places are already at a premium

What’s evident is that the door has closed appreciably for those not named in the Ireland RWC training squad announced on Tuesday.

BIG CALLS: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell names training squad ahead of World Cup.

It’s a sign of the strength in depth in Irish rugby right now that seats on the plane to France this coming autumn are already at a premium even with squad numbers bumped up from 31 to 33 since the last tournament in Japan.

Cast an eye through the certainties, or damn-certainties, on the published list and you could make a case for as many as 30 men who could be reasonably sure of their plans through the next four months – more if Ireland should break the glass ceiling that is the last eight.