Irish throw rookies into the fray
The Ireland management team have named seven uncapped player in the squad for their tour game against the Barbarians in Gloucester on Tuesday, May 29.
The squad comprises of players from Connacht, Munster and Ulster – as none of the teams will have any involvement in the Pro12 Final, which takes place in Dublin on Sunday, May 27 – the day before the squad is due to depart Ireland for the Barbarians match.
Any Leinster players that are selected for the Ireland tour to New Zealand and who play in the league decider will join up with the squad in Gloucester.
The squad contains experienced internationals like Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Rory Best – who provide the spine of the panel.
Front row forwards Mike Sherry, Ronan Loughney and Declan Fitzpatrick are included, with Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Nevin Spence and Paul Marshall selected in the backs division.
Two spots have been left open and will be filled next week before the squad travel to Gloucester.
The Ireland squad to tour New Zealand will be announced on the Monday following the Heineken Cup Final, so it is possible that several players who face the Barbarians may not be part of the final tour squad.
Second row forward Paul O’Connell was not considered for the Barbarians squad as he continues to make progress in his rehabilitation for a knee injury.
He has not been ruled out of contention for the tour to New Zealand and a final decision on his availability will be made after the Barbarians game.
Ireland head coach Declan Kidney said the game against the Barbarians is “vital” for them in their preparations for the tour to New Zealand.
“It gives some players the chance to gain match fitness if they have not played for a couple of weeks, allows us to further expose some players to the national set-up and also gives us the opportunity to get some foundations in place for the Test series,” Kidney said.
“We have a good majority of our selections decided on for the tour party at this point, but the Heineken Cup final on Saturday gives us possibly one last opportunity to watch players in what will be a massive occasion for Irish rugby.”
Ireland:
Backs: Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster), Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), AN Other.
Forwards: Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster), Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster), Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht), John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht), Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster), AN Other.
Date: Tuesday, May 29
Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester
Kick-off: 19.45 (18.45 GMT)
Referee: TBC
