Best to captain Ireland on summer tour

Ulsterman Rory Best will captain Ireland on their summer tour for two international test matches against Canada and the USA.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney said: “When we confirmed the tour back in January, we were always hopeful some of the provinces and players would be involved in the Heineken or Challenge Cup finals and we would also be without any players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour.

"We felt that it would be a chance for the national management to work closely with a larger pool of players than we would normally do during the season and for players to come through at this level. We are continuing to try and build a squad and this tour is a real chance for players to stake a claim for the November games and next years championship.”

While several players are being rested for the tour, 12 capped players are named in the travelling party with Peter Stringer, Bob Casey, Eoin Reddan, Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy among those lending their considerable experience for the tour.

FIXTURES.

Canada v Ireland, Thunderbird Stadium, Saturday, May 23.

USA v Ireland, Buck Shaw Stadium, Sunday, May 31.

IRELAND TOUR SQUAD (25):

Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Captain Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht), Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster), Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht), John Muldoon (Buccanneers/Connacht), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Niall O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster).