Kidney: Kiwi tour crucial but ‘a bit sadistic’

Declan Kidney admitted the challenge of facing New Zealand next month “is a bit sadistic but you couldn’t wish for anything else.”

The Ireland coach yesterday named three uncapped players — Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick and Munster duo Mike Sherry and Simon Zebo — in his 29-man squad for the three-Test summer tour against the world champions. Kidney has left four spaces in his selection as Paul O’Connell, Brett Wilkinson, Chris Henry and Isaac Boss battle to prove their fitness.

Kidney described next month’s tour as the ultimate test.