Passmore names squad for South Africa trip

Ireland coach Dave Passmore has finalised the squad he will take to South Africa next month.

The team will train in Potchefstroom before moving to Pretoria to play two matches against South Africa and two against New South Wales and serves as preparation for the World Cup qualifier in China in April.

“This is an ideal opportunity to develop ourselves technically, physically and mentally towards China,” said Passmore.

“Our priority will be to utilise the climate to work hard on our technical and tactical preparation. The matches are a good opportunity to measure ourselves against top-10 opposition but are not the major priority of the trip.”

Squad: A Barbour (Cookstown); J Black, M Black (Cork Harlequins); P Brown (capt), M Irwin (Instonians); M Ruddle (gk), K Burns, D Hobbs, J Jermyn (Cork C of I); S Butler, G Shaw (Glannane); M Gleghorne (Loughborough Students); R Gormley, J Sherriff (Pembroke Wanderers); C Henderson (gk, Corrinthian); I Lewers (Annadale); E Magee (Banbridge); P Maguire (Dublin University); M Raphael, B Waring (Lisnagarvey).