Sexton left out of Ireland trip to Chicago

Jonathan Sexton will not be making the trip to Chicago for Ireland’s neutral-venue match against Italy next weekend. Joe Schmidt has opted to rest his star flyhalf and a number of other first choice players, sending only two of his Lions tourists to Soldier Field.

Props Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong are included but captain Rory Best is also among the absentees. Sean Cronin is set to start at hooker for just the 10th time in his decade-long test career with Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock tipped to lead the side against the Azzurri.

Other notables set to take part are highly-rated lock duo Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan, along with fit-again Leinster openside Josh van der Flier. In-form Ulster scrumhalf John Cooney could make his first test start while rising stars Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale, and Jordan Larmour are all present.

There are two uncapped players included, both backs. Sexton’s Leinster understudy Ross Byrne awaits his first test appearance and there is a call-up for Ulster utility back Will Addison, the former England u20 international who swapped Sale Sharks for Ulster in the off-season.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Niall Scannell (Munster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Quinn Roux (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Ulster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

BACKS
John Cooney (Ulster), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster), Darren Sweetnam (Munster), Will Addison (Ulster), Jordan Larmour (Leinster)