Ulster fans have voiced their disappointment after Ireland's World Cup training squad was announced on Tuesday.
Joe Schmidt has selected a 44-man panel which includes places for captain Rory Best alongside Ulster teammates Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Jordi Murphy, Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney.
However, the omission of the province's Player of the Year and supporters' Player of the Year Stuart McCloskey has left many angry and confused.
The 26-year-old - who was also named in the PRO14 Dream Team - had been expected to get the nod in the squad.
"There were some very close calls in selection and it’s always a challenging process because the coaching group are very conscious of how hard the players work," said Schmidt.
"It’s ideal that they get a good opportunity to relax for a few weeks before getting stuck into pre-season training and busy ‘Summer Series’ in the lead up to the World Cup."
Fans took to social media to voice their frustration at McCloskey's omission.
@SouthWalesURSC tweeted: "What does @Stuart_Mc12 have to do? #SUFTUM ."
@richardt84 said: "I take it whatever highlights Joe S watched of Ulster this season didn’t include Stu McC? Laughable he isn’t in the 44."
@mcguckinjohn tweeted: "No McCloskey!!?? Jees!!"
@ryanjennings1 wasn't impressed: "So Joe’s saying Stu McC isn’t good enough to get into a FORTY FOUR man panel? Smacks of something other than ability in play. Bit odd and I don’t buy the ‘only plays one position’ stuff. That could come into play at final selection but not when 44 are being picked."
@TommyKennedy93 questioned McCloskey and fellow Ulster star Will Addison's omissions: "What did Addison and McCloskey do wrong?"
There was more reaction on Facebook.
One supporter said: "What the feck !!! No place or even a mention for big Stuart McCloskey ??? GGRRR !!!"
Another said: "McCloskey should be there."
Ireland World Cup Training Squad
Forwards (24)
Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 9 caps
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 117 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 5 caps
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 14 caps
Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 68 caps
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht) 14 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 33 caps
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 88 caps
Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 44 caps
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 7 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 29 caps
Jean Kleyn (Munster)*
Jack McGrath (St Marys College/Leinster) 54 caps
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Ulster) 27 caps
Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 12 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 57 caps
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 14 caps
Rhys Ruddock (Lansdowne/Leinster) 21 caps
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 17 caps
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 18 caps
Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 14 caps
CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 31 caps
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 64 caps
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 17 caps
Backs (20)
Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 17 caps
Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 2 caps
Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 18 caps
Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 12 caps
John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 8 caps
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 77 caps
Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) 5 caps
Mike Haley (Munster)*
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 37 caps
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 17 caps
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 90 caps
Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 13 caps
Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht) 25 caps
Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 10 caps
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 72 caps
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 20 caps
Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 3 caps
Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 83 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 19 caps
*denoted uncapped player
Unavailable due to injury
Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Tullow/Leinster)
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