O’Driscoll misses out on autumn international squad
The second row’s place has gone to Ulster’s Matt McCullough, who was in the summer Churchill Cup squad that travelled to Canada while O’Driscoll was touring Australia and New Zealand.
McCullough is one of four locks along with Munster duo Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan and Leinster’s Malcolm O’Kelly, who returns from injury.
Ironically, Munster wanted to play O’Driscoll last month in the Magners League, but he was part of the international preseason camp. Now he has lost out in a forward unit boosted by the introduction of Ulster back row Stephen Ferris.
Ferris is one of four uncapped players selected along with Jamie Heaslip, Paddy Wallace and Luke Fitzgerald.
The 21-year-old Armagh-born Ferris, who can play any position in the back row, is another graduate of the Ulster Academy.
He made his Ulster debut against the Borders in October 2005, before securing a full contract last season. He started his senior rugby career with Division Three side Portadown before moving to Dungannon.
Ferris was a member of the Ireland U21 squad that participated in the World Cup in Argentina in 2005, but missed selection for last summer’s Churchill Cup as he remained at home for minor ankle surgery.
Seven players drop out from the 34-man squad announced for the short training spin in September, with Tommy Bowe injured and Peter Bracken, Tom Court, John Fogarty, Alan Quinlan, Rob Kearney and O’Driscoll not required. Paddy Wallace is named as one of three fly-halves.
O’Sullivan admitted: “There were some very tough calls, particularly in the back five of the forwards. There were some great performances from so many players (in the Heineken Cup) and there are several who were very unlucky not to make the cut.”
Several players return to the squad after missing the Ireland mini-camp in September. In the forwards, John Hayes returns after suffering an ankle injury and his fellow prop Simon Best makes his first appearance in an Ireland squad since the Six Nations last year after breaking his leg in the Magners League at the end of last season.
In the backs, Gordon D’Arcy is named after missing the September camp due to his shoulder injury. John Kelly, who was originally selected in the September camp but had to pull out due to injury, also makes a return to the squad for the autumn.
“The November games represent a big challenge for this squad and are really the beginning of our build-up to next year’s World Cup,” said O’Sullivan. “The games will also give us the opportunity to look at our options in certain positions before we head into the Six Nations and the World Cup next year.”
Where Ireland appear to be bereft of surplus options is at hooker and out half. Notwithstanding Jerry Flannery’s continued absence, cover for frontline players appears threadbare.
Ireland face South Africa on Saturday, November 11 and Australia the following Sunday before the curtain comes down for international rugby at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, November 26 against the Pacific Islands.
Ireland Squad:
Forwards (17): N Best (Ulster), R Best (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), S Easterby (Llanelli), S Ferris (Ulster), K Gleeson (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), M McCullough (Ulster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), M O’Kelly (Leinster), F Sheahan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), B Young (Ulster).
Backs (15): I Boss (Ulster), G Dempsey (Leinster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), J Kelly (Munster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), R O’Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), J Staunton (Wasps), P Stringer (Munster), A Trimble (Ulster), P Wallace (Ulster).
Not considered due to injury: T. Bowe (Ulster), leg; J. Flannery (Munster), shoulder; J O’Connor (Wasps), neck.
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