Andy Farrell admits newly announced Munster's Player of the Year Jack O'Donoghue was among those close to making his Ireland squad for New Zealand but lost out due to the competitive nature of the back row options.
Farrell named his 40 man panel earlier today and it included five uncapped players and 12 players who have less than 10 caps each.
But there was no room for Waterford man O'Donoghue, who was one of the Reds' best performers over the course of the season.
