World Rugby's limit of 31 players in a World Cup squad has affected Ireland’s preparation, according to Ian Madigan.
Joe Schmidt started off with a panel of 45 for the warm-up series in Kildare but had to cut 14 men for the trip to Japan.
It’s something that the head coach has spoken out about before, saying he could do with 34 players in training to implement his programme.
The governing body has said that the numbers will always be reviewed
"Coaches generally want more players at their disposal and we understand that. Looking forward we might look at that," said Brett Gosper ahead of the tournament.
Robbie Henshaw, Johnny Sexton and Jack Conan, who is on his way home after breaking his foot in training, were all restricted in their involvement in the run-up to today’s shock defeat to Japan.
How Pool A looks after the biggest shock of the World Cup thus far#jpnvire #rwc2019 #rterugby https://t.co/yEY7ArlYJA pic.twitter.com/tfI0l7Avir
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 28, 2019
"That’s a real challenge with a competition like the World Cup, you’ve got 31 guys in your squad," Madigan, a 30-cap Ireland international, who was on analyst duty for RTÉ Radio 1, said.
"Ideally when you are training you need 15 on 15 to replicate what you are going to be facing when you are attacking and what their defence are going to be bringing.
"That’s something that has hampered Ireland in the lead-up to this game.
"Because we’ve got the likes of Jack Conan injured, I’m not too sure how much Johnny would have trained during the week, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee [Aki], even Pete [O’Mahony] had to go through a HIA.
"Suddenly you are down to 24-25 guys so what are you attacking against there? What are you defending against?
"Is your video analyst playing on the wing, is it Rhys Ruddock’s brother Ciaran playing in the second row?
"Off the back of that you are not getting the replication of what you would be facing on game day."
