Kidney names three uncapped players in Ireland squad

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has named a 29-man squad that includes three uncapped players for the three-Test tour of New Zealand in June.

There are three uncapped players among the 25 named today, Ulster's Declan Fitzpatrick and Munster stars Simon Zebo and Mike Sherry.

There is a blend of youth and experience among the players named today with seasoned campaigners like Brian O’Driscoll, who will be captain for the tour, Gordon D’Arcy and Ronan O’Gara keeping company with younger prospects such as Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray.

Having two Irish provinces in the Heineken Cup final may have highlighted the current strength of Irish rugby but it did little to help Kindey finalise his tour squad and the Irish coach explained that four spots have been left open to ensure players carrying knocks are not named prematurely.

There will be three more additions to the pack with a vacancy in the front row, second row and back row while there remaining position in the backs will be given to a scrum half.

There are front runners for all of the four openings with Kidney identifying Brett Wilkinson, Chris Henry and Paul O’Connell as the preferred choices in the pack while Isaac Boss is expected to take scrum half opening.

Kidney believes his uncapped selections have a great opportunity to back up impressive seasons when they travel to New Zealand and insisted that every player in the squad has earned their place.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for them (uncapped players). Going to New Zealand for a three-match tour which Ireland have never done will be a great learning experience.

“But they’ve had to do it on the back of results because this isn’t the place for the faint of heart. They are included on merit but it will be a great opportunity for them.”

Ireland Squad (New Zealand Tour 2012, June 9th, 16th and 23rd):

Forwards (16):

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster)*, Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*, Dan Tuohy (Ballymena /Ulster),

three A.N. Others.

Backs (13): Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), * A.N. Other.

*Denotes Uncapped Player