Forward trio ruled out of Ireland's World Cup opener

WATCHFUL EYE: Forwards coach Paul O'Connell during an Ireland rugby squad training session at Complexe de la Chambrerie in Tours, France. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland will be without injured forward trio Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan, and Dave Kilcoyne for this Saturday’s World Cup Pool B opener against Romania, assistant coach Paul O’Connell revealed on Tuesday.

Hooker Sheehan (foot), back-rower Conan (foot), and loosehead prop Kilcoyne (hamstring) all missed parts of the three-match summer series of warm-up Tests but had started this first World Cup match week with the Irish management insisting the entire 33-man squad was available for selection.