Ireland coach Paul Earley has applauded Australia for demonstrating their faith in the International Rules concept after naming what he regards as their best squad ever.

A total of 15 counties are represented in the 29-man squad today announced by Ireland team manager Paul Earley for the upcoming International Rules series against Australia.

Some big names will be missing from the Ireland squad when they take on Australia in the 2013 International Rules series later this month in Cavan and Dublin.

They got so much right.

FEW International Rules tests have broken more records than this latest offering but the future of the series is again up for question after a decidedly one-sided match.

THE Irish International Rules management team will not “put a gun to any player’s head” if they face the dilemma of whether to stay at home to fulfil club commitments or fly out to Australia next weekend ahead of the upcoming test matches in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Dublin's All-Ireland final hero Stephen Cluxton has been chosen to captain the Ireland team for the upcoming International Rules Series against Australia in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

DUBLIN may be the All-Ireland champions and favourites to claim the majority of All Stars but a fixtures backlog on the club scene has put a halt to ambitions of dominating the International Rules team.

A provisional 31-man training panel for the International Rules series tour of Australia has been announced today.