O'Sullivan looks to World Cup

Eddie O’Sullivan will take a flexible approach to selection during Ireland’s autumn internationals as the countdown to the World Cup begins.

The Triple Crown holders face South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands in a testing November schedule that O’Sullivan will use to try out some new combinations.

O’Sullivan today unveiled his 32-strong squad for the series and confirmed that his team selection will be shaped by the need to plan for the World Cup next September.

“The November games represent a big challenge for us and are really the beginning of our build up to next year’s World Cup,” he said.

“Playing two of the top ranked countries in the world and also a talented Pacific Islands side packed with the best players from three countries will really test the team and this squad.

“The games will also give us the opportunity to look at our options in certain positions before we head into the RBS Six Nations and the World Cup next year.

There were few surprises in the Ireland squad with 21-year-old Stephen Ferris the only newcomer, reward for the back row’s impressive form for Ulster.

There is no room for veteran Anthony Foley, Munster’s respected number eight and vice captain, with O’Sullivan keeping one eye trained on the future.

“Stephen has played himself into what is a very competitive Ulster back-row and has benefited from the game time in the Magners League and Heineken Cup,” he said.

“We felt that it was a good time to bring him up to the next level to have a closer look at him and to see how he has progressed.”

Malcolm O’Kelly, John Hayes, Simon Best, Gordon D’Arcy and John Kelly are included in the squad after overcoming injury problems with only Jerry Flannery, Tommy Bowe and Johnny O’Connor lost to the treatment room.

Flannery will be missed most – the hooker was magnificent during Ireland’s Triple Crown success last season but is recovering from a shoulder operation - so Frankie Sheahan and Rory Best will battle it out for the number two shirt.

Ferris, Jamie Heaslip, Paddy Wallace and Luke Fitzgerald are the four uncapped players in an otherwise experienced party.

Ireland will enter the Springboks match on November 11 buoyed by the performances of their provinces during the opening round of Heineken Cup action.

Ulster destroyed three-time champions Toulouse, Leinster crushed Gloucester and Munster won at Welford Road – giving O’Sullivan a headache as he finalised the make-up of his squad.

“As always the party is selected on form and with the provinces playing so well in the Heineken Cup there were some very tough calls, particularly in the back five of the forwards,” he said.

“There were some great performances from so many players and there are several who were very unlucky not to make the cut.

“The return of some of the players who missed out on our September camp is also welcome as it will give us the experience that we will need going into three big weekends.”