Six new faces in Ireland squad

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named six new caps in a 34-man squad to assemble for training in Dublin next week, ahead of the November international series.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named six new caps in a 34-man squad to assemble for training in Dublin next week, ahead of the November international series.

Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton, and Munster back three men Ian Dowling and Keith Earls have been named in the backs, while the forwards are complemented by Ulster's Ryan Caldwell, Leinster prop Cian Healy, and Munster's Donncha Ryan.

Leinster veteran Malcolm O'Kelly, Ireland's most capped international, was one of seven players missing from the original 41-man party unveiled by head coach Declan Kidney last week.

Barry Murphy (Munster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Bob Casey (London Irish), Tom Court (Ulster), Michael Ross (Harlequins) and Roger Wilson (Northampton) were also omitted.

O'Kelly has been struggling with a neck injury recently but started last weekend's Magners League clash defeat by Glasgow.

The squad will train on Monday and Tuesday, and then a team will be named to face Canada in Saturday's first November international on Tuesday.

Ireland squad:

Backs: Tommy Bowe, Ian Dowling, Girvan Dempsey, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Robert Kearney, Geordan Murphy, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Peter Stringer, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace.

Forwards: Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Marcus Horan, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mick O'Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace.