We picked the best Ireland XV of non-Leinster players

A serious rugby team

With Leinster players continuing to dominate Ireland selections, we have gone and picked out match-day 23 made up of players plying their trade outside of the Blue province.

It is a serious side and further highlights the depth in Irish rugby.

The breakdown of the squad is as follows: 12 Munster, 7 Ulster, 4 Connacht.

Front row

Leinster utterly own this area, with Ireland’s top-three looseheads, two Lions at hooker, and two of the top-four tight heads.

Nonetheless, there are some great options, with Finlay Bealham impressing with the Lions over the summer and Ulster hookers Tom Stewart and Rob Herring already proven internationals.

Michael Milne has shone since moving to Munster last season, and was unlucky to miss out on the November squad.

Lock

Serious depth here, with Ireland great Tadhg Beirne and the currently injured Cormac Izuchukwu.

Iain Henderson’s form has been patchy, so we’ve gone for the more impactful Tom Ahern, while Darragh Murray is unlucky to miss out.

Backrow

We are going against the current Ireland pecking order by selecting John Hodnett at openside ahead of Nick Timoney and Alex Kendellen, but he has proven himself against a number of top sides over the past three seasons.

Timoney provides excellent cover and impact off the bench.

Half back

Another area of strength, with two Munster stars to start and two of Ulster’s finest off the bench.

Centre

Stuart McCloskey had won the Ireland 12 jersey off Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw before his injury.

The form of Tom Farrell has also forced the hand of Andy Farrell, and he has finally made long-awaited Ireland debut.

Back three

Mack Hansen’s hat-trick performance at fullback against Australia allows us to pick a rejuvenated Robert Baloucoune on the right wing.

Non-Leinster Ireland 23:

1. Michael Milne
2. Tom Stewart
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Cormac Izuchukwu
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Cian Prendergast
7. John Hodnett
8. Gavin Coombes
9. Craig Casey
10. Jack Crowley
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Tom Farrell
14. Robert Baloucoune
15. Mack Hansen

Replacements: Jeremy Loughman, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Tom Ahern, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Bundee Aki.