Rugby: Training squads announced

The IRFU have announced two squad training sessions ahead of the early June trip to Romania and a special training camp to be held in Poland from June 24 to July 12.

Apart from a friendly against Munster, Ireland haven't played a competitive game since the 22-15 victory over France at Lansdowne Road in February and coach Warren Gatland sees both sessions as vital to the team's preparations ahead of the Six Nations resumption this Autumn.

Ireland's six Lions players will miss both camps due to commitments down under, but otherwise the nation's best will attend.

The following are the 28 players that have been invited to attend the session in Limerick on May 21 and 22, following which the Ireland squad to play Romania in Bucharest on Saturday, June 2, will be announced:

Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College), Dominic Crotty (Garrywoen), Tyrone Howe (Dungannon), Denis Hickie (St Mary's College), Anthony Horgan (Cork Constitution), Mike Mullins (Young Munster), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Jonathan Bell (Dungannon), John Kelly (Cork Constitution), David Humphreys (Dungannon), Paul Burke (Harlequins), Peter Stringer (Shannon), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Brian O'Meara (Cork Constitution).

Forwards: Peter Clohessy (Young Munster), John Hayes (Shannon), Justin Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins), Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution), Shane Byrne (Blackrock College), Mick Galwey (Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ballymena), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution), Anthony Foley (Shannon), Kieran Dawson (London Irish), Eric Miller (Terenure College), David Wallace (Garryowen), Andy Ward (Ballynahinch).