'It was tight': O'Connell explains Kleyn's omission from Ireland squad

SPOTLIGHT: Forwards coach Paul O'Connell admitted that Jean Kleyn was "very close" to being called up to Ireland's World Cup training squad.

The 29-year-old South African lock notched up five caps for Ireland on the international stage after qualifying via residency rules, but the last of his appearances was way back in 2019.

After being left out of Andy Farrell's training squad, which was announced at the end of May, Kleyn switched allegiance to the country of his birth

He has since made his Bok debut against Australia in this year's Rugby Championship opener at Loftus Versfeld and he will win his second cap this weekend in Buenos Aires against Argentina.

After playing an integral role in Munster's successful United Rugby Championship campaign, Kleyn's omission from the Ireland squad was seen as a surprise and O'Connell explained the decision to Irish media this week.

"He was very close," O'Connell told RTE.

"He's very experienced now, experienced different coaching staffs with Munster. He was part of a really successful Munster team this year and he does what he does really well.

"He’s an excellent mauler, excellent maul-defender. I think his ball-handling and his defence has improved massively now in the last few years.

"He looked very comfortable playing for Munster. The forwards were asked a little bit more of them this year and he was very comfortable.

"It was close, it was tight, I suppose some of the guys we had in the squad already, we felt we’d invested a good bit in them already, they were a little bit younger, they were quite big men as well in their own right.

"He went away and he’s entitled to go for what he went for and I wish him all the best."

With the Boks and Ireland in the same World Cup pool, Kleyn could come up against some familiar faces if he is selected and one of them is his Munster second-row partner Tadhg Beirne.

"I gave him a few texts here and there, I’m delighted for him to be honest," Beirne told the Irish Independent.

"He’s been massive for Munster the last couple of years and has put in performances week in, week out.

"He had an opportunity to go and play for his home country, why wouldn’t he take it? I thought he played excellent in that first game he did get and I’m sure he’ll get a few more caps with them soon.

"I wish him all the best. [But] If he is playing in that [pool] game hopefully he’ll be on the losing end!”

SOURCE: RTE & Irish Independent