Andy Farrell shouldn't be second-guessed about the make-up of his World Cup training squad, according to Devin Toner.
The Ireland head coach on Tuesday named 42 players to take part in a series of training camps beginning in mid-June, ahead of three warm-up matches in August, against Italy, England and Samoa.
Farrell has stuck largely with the same personnel that have delivered a series win in New Zealand, an autumn clean sweep and a Grand Slam in the last 12 months.
Most recently, Leinster have provided the bulk of the panel but their recent BTK URC semi-final loss and Heineken Champions Cup final defeats, allied with Munster's exceptional run to the URC title, made a strong case for the southern province to be more heavily represented.
However, only wing Calvin Nash has been able to force his way into Farrell's plans, while lock Jean Kleyn, flanker John Hodnett and prop Jeremy Loughman were left out.
"I wasn't surprised really," said the former Ireland and Leinster lock at the Aviva Pride Socks launch.
"I didn’t really know what I was expecting. Faz, he stuck with a lot of people, a lot of lads who have done him well over the last year or so.
"There were obviously a lot of Munster lads that have been playing well over the last couple of weeks who are very disappointed. But everyone who is in the squad has been playing very well as well.
"So, it’s a squad that he trusts he has gone with, I suppose."
Prior to Tuesday's squad announcement, it was felt that Farrell could have selected up to 45 players.
"It wouldn’t really affect the players in camp if someone else was brought in really," added Toner.
"Could he have picked 45 or 46 and given an other few another shot? Yeah.
"But that is more people to disappoint when picking the [final] squad. Obviously, JK and Hodnett have been class.
"They are going to get a shot at some stage but it just wasn’t their time."
Toner, who retired last year after 280 Leinster and 70 Ireland appearances, was famously left out of the 2019 World Cup squad by then-coach Joe Schmidt.
The New Zealander parachuted Munster's Kleyn (above) into the squad prior to the tournament and the South African native won five caps in that year.
However, the 29-year-old has never been called up by Farrell and Toner reckons loyalty to the players who have brought Ireland to the top of the world rankings is justified.
While Kleyn was able to impress in post-season, Ulster's Kieran Treadwell held onto his place despite their disappointing finish in the URC.
Asked if he though the introduction of Kleyn four year's ago at his expense upset the squad, he said: "I don’t know if it had any effect. No. Once the decision is made and once the squad is picked you can’t really go against the coach at that stage.
"Obviously, everyone felt bad for me at that stage like, 'would really love to have you there’ but it’s a different thing to say 'it was a bad call and he shouldn’t have done it'.
"Once the squad is picked you have go ahead, plough ahead and do the best you can.
"There's loyalty but there's performance as well. Everyone has performed, there's not one person that you can single out and say he hasn't had a good year.
"Everyone who has ever got their chance for Faz in the Ireland team has done well. That's really healthy for a squad."
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