Three survivors named in squad for Italy

David Humphreys, Geordan Murphy and Brian O’Driscoll are the only survivors from the team which played Wales included in the squad of 22 to play Italy at Thomond Park on August 30.

The Irish team will be announced in Limerick on Tuesday next.

The panel includes Victor Costello, who was a late withdrawal from the Welsh game because of a calf strain and prop forward John Hayes and winger Denis Hickie, both of whom missed the Summer tour to Australia, Tonga and Samoa because of a groin injuries.

Marcus Horan, who was not available for selection against Wales because of an ankle injury, is also in the panel.

Forwards (12): Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College), Victor Costello (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Leo Cullen (Leinster – Blackrock College), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Castres), John Hayes (Munster - Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster – Ballymena), Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College), Donnacha O’Callaghan (Munster – Cork Constitution), Paul Shields (Ulster – Ballymena).

Backs (10): Jonathan Bell (Ulster – Dungannon), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Rotherham), Denis Hickie (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Rob Henderson (Munster – Garryowen), John Kelly (Munster – Cork Constitution), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll

(Leinster – Blackrock College), Brian O’Meara (Leinster – Cork Constitution), David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon).

Additional players for training: Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster – Lansdowne), Tyrone Howe (Ulster – Dungannon), Anthony Horgan (Munster – Cork Constitution), Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster), Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon), Paddy Wallace (Ulster – Ballymena).