Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed that Ian Madigan will provide cover at scrum-half during this year's Rugby World Cup.

The 31-man Irish squad for the tournament was confirmed this morning, with Andrew Trimble, Isaac Boss, Michael Bent and Marty Moore among those to miss out.

Madigan will provide cover for Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan at scrum-half, while Dave Kearney has won the nod ahead of Trimble.

But Schmidt suggests that Madigan, who is accustomed to the out-half and centre positions will only be called upon to take up the No 9 role when urgently required, saying: "I'd like to think it's a calculated risk."

Schmidt also revealed that Madigan has been practising the scrum-half role for some time.

"He has done a lot of individual training. He hasn’t trained in the team very much, but in the last week he has started to slot in and do a little bit with the team as well."