Major Move On Kleyn To Make Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad

There has been a big gamble on Munster’s Jean Kleyn making Ireland’s Rugby World Cup line up later this year after he was named in the training squad this week.

Joe Schmidt named the uncapped Munster lock amongst the 44-man squad set to take part in training camps this summer ahead of the kick-off in Japan in September. The South African-born 25-year-old qualifies through the three-year residency rule and

his inclusion by Schmidt saw his odds of making the plane to Japan crumble into 6/4 from 20/1 within hours of the announcement.

Sean O’Brien’s hip injury, which leaves him facing a six-month lay off, has also resulted in money for Ulster’s Jordi Murphy, who is 1/4 from 4/9 to make the squad, while Munster’s Tommy O’Donnell is a 9/4 chance from 20/1.

Racing 92’s Simon Zebo, who continues to suffer from Ireland’s unwritten rule over overseas selection, was already facing odds of 7/1 to be included amongst the final World Cup cohort, but his exclusion from the camps has seen his odds pushed all the way out to 50/1.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the market moves after Schmidt hinted that a couple of names could be added at a later date.

*Prices correct at time of publication