Injury concern: Brian O'Driscoll
Ireland have called up seven new players to their squad for the November internationals set to kick-off against South Africa.
Four backs and three forwards have been added as cover after a series of injury scares over the weekend.
Brian O'Driscoll was among those hurt, turning his ankle during Leinster's victory over Cardiff, and although the captain is expected to be fit the Irish management is erring on the side of caution.
Ulster backs Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall are all called up along with Connacht winger Tiernan O'Halloran.
And Leinster duo Sean Cronin and Michael Bent will cover the pack along with Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick.
Comments
99call says...
As an Ulsterman I would normally say that Tommy Bowe could walk on water if he put his mind to it, but I dont think he impressed against the Dragons on friday but that was partly due to a bit of a disjointed performance in the first half.
I think he can do a job at 15 for Ireland but I think Felix Jones would be better and i dont think we would get the best out of Tommy there and being that Felix isnt in the squad Kidney may play Tommy at 15
Glad to see Paddy Jackson at least getting a call up into the squad so he can experience the whole build up even if he doesnt get in a match day squad, but I would definitley play him against Fiji as he and Sexton are the present and future at 10 for us
Posted 14:48 30th October 2012
BODsGODmisspelt says...
Irishzimbabwean "I wonder if we can read anything into Tommy Bowe playing at full back for Ulster at the weekend?"
Of Course, Kidney would have requested Anscombe play Bowe at full back. I don't think he impressed. Best of the lot was Jones, then Madigan. I would have liked to see Henshaw at the back again for Connaught but he was in the centre
Posted 10:17 30th October 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
I wonder if we can read anything into Tommy Bowe playing at full back for Ulster at the weekend?
Posted 07:18 30th October 2012
ferdie says...
kid_diablo, sheridan - Michael Bent left here, Taranaki NZ, last Thursday, arrived in Ireland on Sunday. This may also be a 'record' I understood NZ/Otago's Brendan Laney held unofficially, he was named in the Scotland squad on the second day after he arrived there, again without ever having played a game in his new country. MB is I think to play v Ospreys this weekend, along with another new NZer Andrew goodman the Tasma (ITM) capatin? All the best for MB, he may yet be named Taranaki's Player of the Year unsure when that awards night is.
Posted 22:56 29th October 2012
kid_diablo says...
wow that says a lot about our front row, michael bent hasn't even played one minute for leinster. is he even in the country yet ?
Posted 14:43 29th October 2012
ciaran1792 says...
Payne's not Irish qualified for one year he joined ulster last year but injury ruined his season this will be his 2nd year and next year will be his third then he qualifies.
Posted 14:01 29th October 2012
damo says...
All the backs are the form backs in Ireland, am I right in saying rubbish backs like Darcy are in the squad and these lads are called up to make up numbers??????
Kidney needs to manage the team and not be the Trapatoni of Irish rugby!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12:05 29th October 2012
Jcahill1 says...
Madigan should have gotten the call up
Posted 11:52 29th October 2012
ste490 says...
Still no place for Downey? Should have stayed at Saints then.
Posted 11:48 29th October 2012
BiggyFint says...
Jared Payne isn't Irish qualified for another two years I think
Posted 11:13 29th October 2012
NHsaints says...
Oh thank god gilroy is in there, still surprised not to see jarred payne...
Posted 10:45 29th October 2012
Sheridan says...
No mention of Micheal Bent who is probably going to play for Ireland before he plays for Leinster.....
Posted 10:11 29th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well it looks a better squad now ,even if Kidneys hand has been forced ,,but still no specialist FB ??
Posted 10:03 29th October 2012
philip274 says...
Still no Keatly/Maddigan, don't believe Jackson or O'Halloran are ready YET.
His hand has been forced to pick the young guys, hopefully they can perform! On his head be it!
Posted 07:53 29th October 2012