MUNSTER’S Johne Murphy and Leinster’s Devin Toner are the only two uncapped players in Declan Kidney’s squad for the Autumn Internationals against South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina. The untested duo should see some game time based on form alone, but injuries in certain areas mean that messrs Murphy and Toner should see some action in green this Autumn.
The 34 man sqaud was named this week, with some notable absentees still missing through injury. Paul O Connell, Jerry Flannery, Luke Fitzgerald, Kevin Mc Laughlin and Tomas O Leary all look set to miss the tests through injury.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney sees the benefits of having a large squad at this stage of the season.
“It is going to be a demanding month for the squad and the first time we have played four games in the Guinness series. We felt it was important to have at least 30 fit players to choose from in terms of setting the foundations for November and it was better for those who picked up knocks to be assessed back in the provinces and when they have the all clear, to come back into the squad. Jerry (Flannery) and Luke (Fitzgerald) are in that position, as are fellas like Tomas (O’Leary) and Leo (Cullen) who may well come back into the mix depending on their recoveries and game time that they may need to build up over the next couple of weeks.”
“We need everybody in a position to be able to contribute in training and while we may well leave a window for those coming back, all the players in the squad are deserving of their chance. There are a lot of players who are unlucky not to make this squad, but the door will remain open to them also during November to join up with the panel.”
Ireland face South Africa on November 6th at the Aviva Stadium.
Squad: Best, Boss, Bowe, Buckley, Court, Cronin, D’Arcy, Duffy, Earls, Ferris, Horgan, Hayes, Healy, Heaslip, Horan, Kearney, Leamy, Muldoon, Murphy, O’ Callaghan, O’ Gara, O’Brien, B O’Driscoll, M O’Driscoll,Reddan, Ross, Ryan, Sexton, Stringer, Toner, Trimble, Varley, D Wallace, P Wallace.
