Set for Ireland debut: Richardt Strauss
South African-born Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss is one of four uncapped players named in Ireland's 31-man squad for the November Tests.
Ireland will face South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in their three-Test series.
Ulster centre Luke Marshall and forward Iain Henderson, who were involved in the Ireland training camp in September, are included in the squad as are Munster prop David Kilcoyne and hooker Strauss, who is now eligible to play for Ireland based on his residency In Ireland for the past three years.
Leinster full-back Rob Kearney will miss the November internationals as he requires surgery on a troublesome back injury and could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.
There are also changes to the Irish staff with Head Coach Declan Kidney being joined by current Munster assistant coach and former international Anthony Foley.
Foley will be now be leading the defence plans and systems allowing assistant coach Les Kiss to concentrate on attack and the backline.
Foley will continue working with Munster outside of the international window. It was also confirmed that Leinster scrum coach Greg Feek will continue providing his expertise to the Ireland team during competition time.
"We have three incredibly competitive games ahead of us in November and while there have been quite a few injuries and niggles in the early part of the season, it has opened up opportunities for other players to step into the squad," said Kidney.
"There are world ranking points on offer, so the underlying challenge for us is to work towards retaining and improving our ranking position ahead of the Rugby World Cup pool draw. While that is the end goal, our focus will be getting our preparations right to match the intensity of international games.
"I'm pleased that Anthony has taken up the offer of working with the squad to assist during this vital period in November. His previous experience of working with the team during the last RBS 6 Nations championship was important, but his own abilities and experience were central to bringing him onboard. I would like to thank Rob Penney and Joe Schmidt for being so positive and giving Anthony Foley and Greg (Feek) the scope to be part of the plans that we have."
Ireland squad:
Rory Best (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster - Captain), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
Comments
safehands says...
@Norm....just run us through that NZ model you know so much about of patriating non nationals for the All Blacks benefit??
When are fools like you going to actually find out facts first before making stupid comments!? If you can name the All Blacks players that have been patriated as adults purely for their rugby abilities, I'll personally post you a cheque for a $1000....made from the finest quality Indian rubber of course!!
Posted 01:29 25th October 2012
Ferdie says...
@ GCP_jones - "Bent possesses an Irish passport, meaning that there is no danger of the province violating the IRFU player succession strategy that comes into effect from the start of the 2013-14 season"
Seems no doubt then re eligibility, must be close family ties to already have passport. I don't know why he didn't get more game time with Hurricanes, never did anything wrong i could see when he did play, as he announced intention to leave in April this year, maybe they decided to give other players more game time. He was a solid man for Taranaki this season, good he has the connection with Greg Feek will make it easier to settle - GF was scrum coach for Hurricanes when MB was first in development squad. (though I've not forgiven Feek for leaving Taranaki to play for Canterbury years back!)
Posted 00:54 25th October 2012
OrangeBoyReserv says...
@norm
Not sure what you mean about the all blacks policy , who in the All Blacks is not a New Zealander ?
If you are refering to players with Pacific Island heritage, I think you will find that 99% are born and at the very least raised in NZ.
Remind me again how many NZers play and coach for other countries ?
Posted 00:51 25th October 2012
dylster says...
@ Norm the tool,
ABs do not have a single player in their current team born outside NZ...whereas how many other teams have a NZ born player..(check Samoa for starters)
Posted 00:16 25th October 2012
Gleek says...
To the anti-D'Arcy brigade, remember the summer, he played in one test, the 2nd. Outplayed SBW too if I remember. The same people who bemoan the lack of youth are also pining for the 31 year old Downey? At least Deccie is consistent!
That said I agree that the amount of locks selected is strange and that P.Marshall has done enough to be in the squad.
I wish the IRFU would embrace 7s and give guys like Madigan, Carr, Conway and Griffen an international platform. Works for NZ. That way the step to full international might not feel like too much for the senior management.
Posted 23:41 24th October 2012
melkdave says...
@ToAll
Mycomment about the Ulster players was tongue in cheek LOLOL.Iknow full well that Ulster born players have always historical played for Ieland LOL.The [point was to show that all the fuss about overseas born players playing for England Wales ,Scotland or whoever,,is just not warrented espically from irish supporters ,as they have always had overseas born players playing for them lol.
Posted 22:26 24th October 2012
Zandberg says...
Interesting times. Two Grey College, Bloemfontein boys, both hookers, played for the same school and province (Cheetahs), now to face each other playing for different countries. That will be some story for the Grey College assembly hall! Having said that, nothing could sound less Irish than Richardt Strauss! Bit like Tim Visser playing for Scotland, and probably in a few years, WP Nel also... But Australia and New Zealand have done that for decades, importing Pacific Islanders to play for their national sides, so why can't Ireland, England and Scotland do the same??
Posted 22:10 24th October 2012
Peachlegs says...
Hold on a second! Paul Marshall the in form irish scrum half isn't even in the squad!!!!ridiculous! I have lost complete faith! Also Strauss thing fairly irrelevant as Rory best no1 hooker in the uk, there is no chance of him being anything other than backup. KIDNEY OUT!!!!!!!
Posted 22:07 24th October 2012
TVaddict says...
@Propmelsey
Silly boy! Tonga'uiha plays at 1 not 3! If you're going to make jokes at least get them right, otherwise you come off looking rather ridiculous. Also, while your still blushing from that rather amateur error, I regret to inform you that he's already been capped for Tonga. Sorry about that old chap!
Posted 21:32 24th October 2012
TVaddict says...
@Michtymauler
Don't be silly! Ireland share the same SA provinces now too ! Didn't you read the article?
Posted 21:27 24th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
You can tell this is an Ireland team thread from the word count per post. To be sure to be sure.
Posted 21:02 24th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
@Danny Boy: he'll be glad of your special kind of support.
Posted 21:00 24th October 2012
boksmashoffice says...
Struass has been training with the Irish team for a while. I have seen him walking around Carton House (where ireland train) when The 6 nations were on in Feb.
Posted 20:01 24th October 2012
boksmashoffice says...
What a joke.I look forward to Quinn Roux and CJ Stander being Irish. What a joke. If I was an Irish fan I would be uneasy. Well if you can beat the Brits join them.
Posted 19:58 24th October 2012
steban says...
he had no chance to break into the Boks, like his cousis Adraan did... I guess guys like that face a tough choice: to be able play international rugby they choose those who will take them, when their own country would not...
Posted 19:55 24th October 2012
leebok says...
Another Saffa makes a debut.
Posted 19:31 24th October 2012
BokAvenger says...
All you clowns going on about Scottish blood and Irish DNA...I think you might want to recall one Edward Longshanks, aka King Edward I and a Mr Oliver Cromwell. I think if you look back at the exploits of these two gentleman and their henchman you might be somewhat less brash about arguing for DNA tests.
Posted 19:04 24th October 2012
deprop says...
Pants. No problem with Strauss - the rules are the rules whether you agree with them or not. It's not as if we are overflowing with talent in that area. And for those whose only complaint is Strauss and the eligibility issue - read the team sheet again. There is so much more to be concerned about. Kidney does not appear to be able to 'let go' of players past their prime as the IRFU are in letting go of a coach past his.
Posted 18:28 24th October 2012
deprop says...
Pants. No problem with Strauss - the rules are the rules whether you agree with them or not. It's not as if we are overflowing with talent in that area. And for those whose only complaint is Strauss and the eligibility issue - read the team sheet again. There is so much more to be concerned about. Kidney does not appear to be able to 'let go' of players past their prime as the IRFU are in letting go of a coach past his.
Posted 18:28 24th October 2012
NHsaints says...
@Propmelsey ....what are you talking about? Tonguiha plays 1 and is a capped Tongan international... but truthfully why is this happening? What's happened to Cronin? Surely he should be the backup hooker...not this SA freeloader.
Posted 18:22 24th October 2012