Ireland trim squad for Chicago trip

Ireland have named 27 players to board the plane and head across the Atlantic to play the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday. Included are British & Irish Lions stars Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, and Rob Kearney. There is also room for five uncapped players in the group. Veteran Munster prop John Ryan and utility forward Billy Holland are joined by three young Leinster backs – scrumhalf Luke McGrath, flyhalf Joey Carbery, and midfielder Garry Ringrose.

Seven from the original training group will not travel. Keith Earls sits out as he serves a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle against Glasgow Warriors. Ulster flyhalf Paddy Jackson is unavailable for personal reasons, while forwards Iain Henderson, Sean O’Brien, and Peter O’Mahony are deemed short of full fitness as they return from injury. Uncapped Leinster hooker James Tracy and Ulster centre Luke Marshall will have to wait for the match against Canada in Dublin to get an opportunity.

FORWARDS
Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), John Ryan (Munster), Rory Best (capt., Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Billy Holland (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

BACKS
Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster),  Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Jared Payne (Ulster)