Ireland drop two from training squad

Ulster hooker Rob Herring and Leinster centre Noel Reid have been dropped from Ireland's World Cup training squad.

Ireland must submit their final 31-man squad by the August 31^st deadline, and Schmidt could make further cuts to his training group later this week.

Herring's departure almost guarantees the places of hookers Rory Best, Sean Cronin and Richardt Strauss in the final World Cup squad, barring injury.

Reid's omission however does little to clarify the midfield options, with some six potential centres still remaining in Ireland's World Cup training camp.

"Two guys have gone back to their provinces this week and over the next while it'll be an ongoing process," said assistant coach Richie Murphy.

"We're not here just to cut players and get rid of them though.”

"We'll see how that is and when we feel we're in a really good position guys will feed back to their clubs."

Tighthead prop Marty Moore and three-quarter Luke Fitzgerald are both fit for selection for Saturday's warm-up Test against Scotland in Dublin.

Leinster prop Moore and club-mate Fitzgerald have both now fully recovered from shoulder injuries, with both perceived to have strong claims to final World Cup selection if fit.

Murphy confirmed that prop Cian Healy is still battling a neck injury and said Ireland will look to mix up selection for Saturday's visit of Scotland, following last weekend's 35-21 win over Wales in Cardiff.

"Guys are looking good, Marty (Moore) is back in full contact and he looks fine," said Murphy

"Luke Fitzgerald is back in full contact and looks really good.”

"Most of the squad now are back on their feet and available for selection.”

"There's no real update on Cian Healy, he's progressing well.”

”He's not doing full contact but he's doing more or less the whole session yesterday and today.”

"There will be quite a few changes (to the team to face Scotland). It's another opportunity to get more guys onto the pitch over these first two games, so I think you would expect quite a few changes and some guys who haven't had game time will be coming back in."

Murphy also confirmed that Ireland would not add a back-row replacement in the wake of the hip injury Tommy O'Donnell suffered in Cardiff last weekend that ruled him out of contention for the World Cup.

"There's probably no need in that position."

“Obviously it's one of those positions that we have a lot of really talented players, so it does open up opportunities for other guys.”

“[But] I don't think we need to look at the squad at the moment."