Ireland coach keeps everyone guessing ahead of warm-up against Scotland

Sean O'Brien will captain Ireland from the No 8 spot against Scotland at Dublin on Saturday. Max Rossi / Reuters

Press Association

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he has not yet made any hard and fast cuts to his Rugby World Cup training squad, despite discarding three players this week.

Rob Herring and Noel Reid left Ireland’s training camp earlier this week and will feature in the Ulster-Leinster pre-season clash on August 21.

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion also has been released to appear in Connacht’s pre-season game against Castres.

Schmidt says all three players have not been jettisoned entirely from his World Cup plans but, to all intents and purposes, barring injury they all look surplus to requirements.

“Technically, they’re not here but they haven’t left the squad,” said Schmidt of Herring, Reid and Marmion. “I’m still in contact with them.

“I know that Noel is preparing to play next weekend, against Rob Herring in the Leinster-Ulster clash.

“And Kieran Marmion is down to play off the bench against Castres this weekend, and again it’s because we need players to be match-fit. If we can’t provide all the games for them then next Friday and Saturday gives us a really good window.”

Ireland host Scotland at Dublin on Saturday in a warm-up match ahead of the Rugby World Cup starting next month, with flanker Jack Conan making his Test debut and Sean O’Brien captaining the side from No 8.

Some seven starters will be battling for their World Cup futures this weekend as Schmidt continues to keep his squad, and everyone else, guessing.

“We knew that those guys weren’t going to be involved in this week, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be involved in the Welsh week,” Schmidt said. “Obviously, the guys who are involved this week get a chance at a higher level and therefore that’s an advantage over the players who play for their provinces this and next weekend.”

Meanwhile, new Scotland cap Hugh Blake said he is determined to hush the critics of his call-up and fight his way into Vern Cotter’s World Cup squad.

The New Zealand-born flanker will make his Scots debut when they kick off their preparations against Ireland.

Cotter sparked controversy when he named the 22-year-old forward in his group for this year’s Six Nations just weeks after Blake had moved from the land of his birth and before he had even featured for his then club side Edinburgh.

The former New Zealand Under 20 cap, who has now switched cities after signing a two-year deal with Glasgow, said he has paid no attention to those criticising his involvement. “I know where my roots are from,” he said, “and they are from Glasgow, Scotland.

“Finally now I have got the chance to show the public I can play rugby. Hopefully after the weekend those negative comments will stop.”

Follow us on twitter at @NatSportUAE