Carney called up for tour to Argentina

IRELAND coach Eddie O’Sullivan is confident Brian Carney is ready to make his Test debut after naming the former rugby league star in his squad for the summer tour to Argentina.

Carney, the former Great Britain vice-captain who enjoyed successful spells with Wigan and Newcastle Knights, has impressed since switching codes last month.

The 30-year-old Munster winger has been fast-tracked into a squad missing Ireland’s entire first-choice starting line-up and O’Sullivan insists he is there on merit.

He said: “Brian has done well for Munster since his arrival and has earned a call into the squad. He has moved across from league without too much disruption to his game and I thought this was a good time to move him on to the next level and see how he performs.”

As expected, O’Sullivan has decided to rest his established players for the two-Test series in May and June. Only Mick O’Driscoll is present from the side that thumped Italy 51-24 in the final RBS 6 Nations match last month when the Munster lock was a replacement for injured provincial colleague Paul O’Connell.

Ulster prop Simon Best will lead the squad against opponents Ireland will also meet in the pool stages of the World Cup in September.

Seven uncapped players feature in the touring party, with Peter Bracken, Tony Buckley, Shane Jennings, Robert Kearney, Barry Murphy, Tomas O’Leary and Carney yet to make their Test debuts.

O’Sullivan has selected most of the substitutes bench used in the Six Nations, with the likes of Jerry Flannery, Isaac Boss, Neil Best and Andrew Trimble included.

Leinster lock Malcolm O’Kelly, Ireland’s most capped player, will face the Pumas after missing the entire Six Nations with a knee injury.

O’Sullivan added: “This tour was always about looking at options with the World Cup in mind. It gives us the chance to look at players in a pressurised Test match environment and, as well as some experienced players, there are also some new prospects there who will benefit from the experience.”

The squad will gather on May 13 following the final round of Magners League matches, and will depart for Buenos Aires seven days later. Ireland will travel to Sante Fe City for the first Test on May 26 with the second staged in Buenos Aires on June 2.

Argentina will be weakened by the loss of their large French-based contingent, but coach Marcelo Loffreda is also more concerned by squad development for the World Cup.

“I will select whoever I have available – I’m not too worried,” said Leicester-bound Loffreda.

“The players in France will not be available and we might not have them for the whole Test window, but the players in England will be okay.

“These are games to see players, not to think about the ranking. I need to complete the list for the World Cup and it will be a good occasion to see some of the fringe players.”

Meanwhile, Ireland A’s squad for the Churchill Cup contains just three capped players as selectors call on limited resources to complete the 28-strong party.

Only Luke Fitzgerald, Johnny O’Connor and Roger Wilson have played Test rugby, with uncapped Connacht hooker John Fogarty appointed captain.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley will take charge of the team which is scheduled to play three games, starting against Canada on May 19.

IRELAND A SQUAD: Forwards (15): R Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster), S Cronin (Shannon/Munster), A Farley (Buccaneers/Connacht), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), J Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht) Captain, D Gannon (Buccaneers/Connacht), R Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht), S Keogh (Shannon/Leinster), J Lyne (Lansdowne/Leinster), J Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht), *Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), J O’Sullivan (Garryowen/Munster), M Ross (Harlequins), D Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), *R Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).

Backs (13): D Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), K Earls (Thomond/Munster), *L Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), J Hearty (Galwegians/Connacht), I Humphreys (Leicester), C Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht), S Mallon (Northampton), F Murphy (Leicester), J Murphy (Leicester), P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), F McFadden (UCD/Leinster), D Riordan (Buccaneers/Connacht), J Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster).