Gordon D'Arcy has been dropped from the 36-man Ireland squad named for the remainder of the Six Nations.
“That’s a selection issue, yes,” confirmed Ireland manager Mick Kearney this afternoon.
It means D’Arcy is out of consideration for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff and Edinburgh seven days later.
Ian Madigan and Darren Cave (having played against Argentina last summer) will provide inside centre cover behind Robbie Henshaw.
Initially capped against Romania at the 1999 World Cup, D’Arcy went on to play 81 times, the last of which was against Australia in November.
Henshaw wore the 12 jersey against Italy, France and his man-of-the-match showing in victory over England.
Luke Marshall previously nudged D'Arcy out of Declan Kidney's Ireland XV for the 2013 Six Nations but current coach Joe Schmidt has started him eight times.
Marshall and Ulster teammate Stuart Olding seemed like the main threats to the 35-year-old’s reign in Ireland’s midfield but Henshaw’s move from fullback to outside and now inside centre puts his place in this year’s World Cup squad in jeopardy. Marshall is currently suspended for five weeks while Olding is injured.
“Gordon has obviously been an unbelievable servant for Irish rugby,” explained Kearney. “He is back fit, back playing for Leinster again so I wouldn’t rule him out for future selection.”
D’Arcy’s one-year contract extension with Leinster ends this summer.
“He has had a few injury problems this year,” said Rory Best. “Knowing Gordon, he has been written off a few times in his career and he has a great attitude, a great player. If he is back playing well for Leinster certainly I don’t think Ireland have enough players to be turning down someone who is playing well.”
Meanwhile, Johnny Sexton’s hamstring strain keeps him restricted to “modified” training this week “with an expectation that he will train fully towards the end of the week.”
“We are very happy where he is at the moment, he has hit all his markers so far,” added Kearney.
Ian Keatley and Madigan remain in camp as cover. Keatley started against Italy.
The news on Jamie Heaslip’s three cracked vertebrae is more positive with the Leinster captain taking contact at training today.
“Barring any setback he will be available for selection.”
Jared Payne and Sean O’Brien continue to follow the head injury protocol, having both sustained concussion against England on March 1st, with the hope that both will recover enough to train fully “later in the week.”
Tadhg Furlong and fit again lock Dan Tuohy are added to the group.
Furlong brings the number of Leinster tighthead props in Carton House up to three. Same at loosehead with Michael Bent named ahead of Munster’s Dave Kilcoyne.
Craig Gilroy, Fergus McFadden and Rhys Ruddock are other notable absentees.
Kieran Marmion (shoulder) and Nathan White (calf) are injured.
Meanwhile, hooker Ken Owens and Exeter prop Tomas Francis have been added to the Welsh squad.
Ireland squad for remainder of Six Nations
Forwards (20)
Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster) Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) Mike McCarthy (Leinster) Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster) Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) Dan Touhy (Ulster)
Backs (16)
Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster) Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster) Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) Jared Payne (Ulster) Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)
