A few sad men today.
Andy Farrell announced his 34-man Ireland squad today for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and South Africa.
As is the norm withe Farrell squads, there are few surprises, while experience is held in the highest regard.
Below we have picked out the five players most unfortunate to miss out.
Michael Milne
After signing from Leinster last season – initially on loan – the Birr man has improved considerably at Munster after being usurped by Jack Boyle at his home province.
His scrummaging was a serious Achilles heel, but Alex Codling has worked wonders with him, while his ball carrying has remained the best of any prop in the country.
As Munster’s starting loosehead he looked prime to challenge Boyle for the Irish back-up jersey.
However, Paddy McCarthy has been chosen instead, despite being an unused member of the summer squad, which saw Milne make his Ireland debut.
McCarthy certainly has the highest ceiling of any loosehead, and after packing on serious size during the off season, he produced a breakout performance in last weekend’s win over the Sharks.
Nathan Doak/Ben Murphy
Caolin Blade getting the third-choice scrum-half jersey is a strange call, given recent selections at both international and club level.
After a sensational showings with Connacht, Ben Murphy became first-choice ahead of Blade out west, before being selected ahead of him for Ireland’s summer tour.
Doak was another unused member of that trip, and after an influential start to the season with Ulster, it was thought by many that he would be the man for the job.
Given the age of both himself and Murphy, it is difficult to see why Blade, who is not bringing mega experience himself, was preferred.
Jimmy O’Brien
While disappointed that his mate Hugo Keenan was ruled out through injury, O’Brien would have been quietly optimistic that he would sneak in as fullback backup to Jamie Osborne.
His substantial experience with Ireland and an ability to cover wing and centre are always valuable assets.
However, it appears that one of Ciarán Frawley, Jacob Stockdale, or Mack Hansen, will provide 15 cover.
Harry Byrne
Rejuvenated after finding himself with the Bristol Bears during his Premiership retreat, Byrne put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Sharks last weekend, on his first start back for Leinster.
Obviously, Frawley was always going to be favourite to make it, and deservedly so, but the younger Byrne brother may have been worth a recall.
Expect to see him feature for Ireland A vs Spain.
