Schmidt sidesteps residency ruling`

Joe Schmidt has refused to become embroiled in the debate about whether the three-year residency rule should be extended before a player is eligible to play international rugby in an adopted country.

He named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the two-match tour of Argentina next month with Ulster’s South African back rower Robbie Diack poised to become the latest project player to be capped.

Indeed, three of the uncapped players were born outside Ireland but Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion from Wales and Ulster hooker Rob Herring, who was born in Cape Town, were eligible before they moved here. James Cronin is the other uncapped player, the Ballincollig native crowning a glorious breakthrough season with inclusion.

Schmidt said the list of players out through injury illustrated the need to have in-depth cover in all positions and said he would pick anyone who was available without getting wrapped up in the eligibility discussion.

“That’s a question for people over and above me,” said Schmidt when asked whether it was right that Bundee Aki, who joins Connacht next season from New Zealand, should be talking about playing for Ireland even before he comes here. Players are either available or they are not. I think if Bundee Aki plays well and qualifies in three years time he will be available to whoever is coaching the Irish team at that time to be selected. If they change the rules he may not be. ”

The biggest surprise is the omission of Leinster out-half Ian Madigan as Paddy Jackson gets the nod along with Jonny Sexton as Schmidt opts for just two out-halves and three scrum-halves.

Munster’s Simon Zebo and Dave Kilcoyne have also been recalled, with several players given the summer off to sort out varying degrees of injury with the likes of Sean Cronin, Gordon D’Arcy, Cian Healy and Dan Tuohy not being considered, while Dave Kearney’s brilliant season ended with a serious knee injury in the Pro12 win over Ulster at the weekend.

Irish captain Paul O’Connell said quality signings from oversees can add to the provinces and the national team if they are the right fit on and off the field.

“I can understand why people would have an issue with it, with guys taking maybe an Irish player’s place but as long as it is kept to a minimum and they are really top class players and guys of top class character I don’t have a problem with it.

“You look at the likes of Robbie Diack and CJ [Stander], they are really good guys and they have been good signings. Robbie seems to be a good top class character. I don’t know Robbie all that well but I think he was captain when we played them over the Christmas, and it’s a real good sign of the guys’ quality and respect amongst the players. If guys add a little bit little bit to the Irish squad as well and have pride in what they are doing, I think they can be good for Irish rugby,” said O’Connell.