O’Sullivan names squad for Argentina tour

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has named seven uncapped players in a 30 man squad for the Ireland summer tour to Argentina and in doing so has rested the majority of his senior players.

In the forwards, there are three uncapped players in the shape of props Peter Bracken, Tony Buckley and flanker Shane Jennings. Alan Quinlan and Leo Cullen return to the Irish squad after missing out on the RBS 6 nations Championship, as does Stephen Ferris who was ruled out for much of the campaign due to a hand injury.

Malcolm O’Kelly also returns to the squad having recovered from his knee injury that sidelined him for the entire championship. The twice capped Bernard Jackman is also named in the squad as one of three hookers on the touring party.

There are four uncapped players in the back division, with Tomas O’Leary and recent rugby league convert Brian Carney named in an Ireland squad for the first time.

“This tour was always about looking at options with the world cup in mind,” said O’Sullivan.

“It is an opportunity for players to put their cases forward for France and in doing so allowed us to rest the majority of the six nations squad.

“Argentina is always a tough place to tour and this will be no different. 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.”

Eddie O’Sullivan also welcomed newcomer Brian Carney to the squad.

“Brian has done well for Munster since his arrival and has earned a call into the squad,” he said.

“He has moved across from league without too much disruption to his game and I thought this was a good time to move him onto the next level and see how he performs.”

Ireland Squad:

Forwards (17):

Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (Captain)

Peter Bracken (Wasps)

Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)

Leo Cullen (Leicester)

Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)

Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)

Keith Gleeson (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster)

Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)

Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster)

Shane Jennings (Leicester)

Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Malcolm O’Kelly (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster)

Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)

Backs (13):

Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)

Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Munster)

Brian Carney (Clonakilty/Munster)

Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)

Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Kieran Lewis (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)

Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)

Eoin Reddan (Wasps)

Jeremy Staunton (Wasps)

Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)