Kidney throws down gauntlet

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has thrown down the gauntlet to Saturday’s Heineken Cup finalists on the fringes of the Test side to prove they are worth a place on next month’s tour to New Zealand.

Leinster and Ulster square off at Twickenham this weekend in search of European glory with Kidney set to name his touring party for the three-Test series against the world-champion All Blacks on Monday.

With Leinster also set to contest the RaboDirect Pro12 final against Ospreys on May 27, Ireland yesterday announced a 24-man squad comprising of players from Connacht, Munster and Ulster for the pre-tour warm-up match against the Barbarians in Gloucester on May 29 and Kidney included seven uncapped players, four of whom will play for Ulster at Twickenham this weekend.