O'Sullivan holsters his big guns
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has omitted his entire first-choice XV from the 30-man squad that will tour Argentina.
Only Mick O’Driscoll is present from the side that thumped Italy 51-24 in the final Six Nations match – but the Munster lock was deputising for his injured provincial colleague, Paul O’Connell.
Alan Quinlan and Leo Cullen return to the Irish squad after missing out on the Six Nations, as does Stephen Ferris who was ruled out for much of the campaign due to a hand injury.
Veteran lock Malcolm O’Kelly also returns to the squad having recovered from his knee injury that sidelined him for the entire Six Nations championship.
But the decision to rest Ireland’s other senior players opens the door to a host of youngsters.
“This tour was always about looking at options with the World Cup in mind,” said O’Sullivan.
“It is an opportunity for players to put their cases forward for France and in doing so allowed us to rest the majority of the Six Nations squad.
“Argentina is always a tough place to tour and this will be no different.
“It gives us the chance to look at players in a pressurised test match environment and as well as some experienced players, there are also some new prospects there who will benefit from the experience.”
There are seven uncapped players included in the squad, one of which being former Rugby League star Brian Carney who wins a crack at a cap after impressing since switching codes to join Munster in March.
“Brian has done well for Munster since his arrival and has earned a call into the squad,” said O’Sullivan.
“He has moved across from league without too much disruption to his game and I thought this was a good time to move him onto the next level and see how he performs.”
Ulster prop Simon Best will lead the squad against opponents who Ireland will also meet in the pool stages of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.
Ireland face the Pumas in Santa Fe on 26 May and in Buenos Aires on 2 June.
Ireland will experience the confines of the Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario stadium in the first Test, home of Colon soccer team.
The second Test takes place at Argentina’s usual home venue – the Jose Amalfitani stadium, home of Velez Sarsfield.
Ireland squad for tour to Argentina:
Forwards: Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Peter Bracken* (Wasps), Tony Buckley* (Shannon/Munster), Leo Cullen (Leicester), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), Keith Gleeson (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster), Shane Jennings* (Leicester), Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster), Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster).
Backs: Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Munster), Brian Carney (Clonakilty/Munster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht), *Robert Kearney* (UCD/Leinster), Kieran Lewis (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Barry Murphy* (U.L. Bohemians/Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Tomas O’Leary* (Dolphin/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jeremy Staunton** (Wasps), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster),
* uncapped player
** subject to fitness test
