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Rob Kearney and Jared Payne have both lost their fitness battles for Ireland’s crucial World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Rob Kearney, the established first-choice 15, sustained an injury against Romania on Sunday, having come on as a replacement, while Simon Zebo has left the World Cup squad on compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather.

“It might have been when his knee hit the ground”.

Utilising the full depth of a 31-man squad has been a recurring mantra from head coaches at this Rugby World Cup and Joe Schmidt was no exception when he made wholesale changes for Ireland’s Pool D clash with Romania. Jonny Sexton is not part of this week’s squad.

Surprised to learn Ireland had set a new record for the World Cup’s oldest starting XV, Schmidt joked that 34-year-old scrum-half Eoin Reddan may have skewed the stats.

Luke Fitzgerald has replaced him at inside-centre, the rest of the side was extremely predictable, as the strongest possible team for Ireland.

Canada hooker Ray Barkwill admitted it was a privilege to play opposite Ireland’s Rory Best in Cardiff on Saturday, but insisted his teammates would not be starstruck as they battle to qualify from Pool D.

When they last met, in June 2013, in front of 20,000 in Toronto, Ireland eased to a 40-14 victory.

Joe Schmidt’s men beat Canada by 50-7 at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.