Preparations for the defining November Test series begin on Monday as Declan Kidney yesterday announced a 33-man training squad for a 48-hour gathering at Carton House, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY.
Ireland’s second-tier seeding ahead of the 2015 World Cup draw is dependent on results against South Africa (November 10th) and Argentina (November 24th). The Fiji game at Thomond Park on November 17th is not a full international.
Leinster’s South African-born hooker Richardt Strauss is eligible for selection but he is injured and not called up. Leinster outhalf Ian Madigan misses out again, while Luke Fitzgerald and Seán O’Brien are injured. Paul O’Connell, even though he is rehabbing a knee injury, and Rory Best will attend. Stephen Ferris, Tom Court and Tommy Bowe also return after missing the 3-0 series defeat in New Zealand. Rob Kearney is omitted as the fullback is not required for specific work.
New faces are Munster backrow David O’Callaghan, Ulster centre Luke Marshall and lock Ian Henderson.
Another squad will be announced after the first two rounds of Heineken Cup action.
IRELAND SQUAD(33): R Best (ULster), T Bowe (Ulster), D Cave (Ulster), T Court (Ulster), S Cronin (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Fitzpatrick (Ulster), C Healy (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), C Henry (Ulster), D Hurley (Munster), L Marshall (Ulster), C Murray (Munster), M McCarthy (Connacht), F McFadden (Leinster), K McLaughlin (Leinster), David O'Callaghan (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), M Ross (Leinster), D Ryan (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), D Tuohy (Ulster), D Varley (Munster), S Zebo (Munster).
