Carney named in Ireland squad

Monday, April 30, 2007

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named seven uncapped players in a 30-man squad to play two away Tests against Argentina this summer, including rugby league convert Brian Carney.

Ex-Wigan winger Carney, who won 14 caps for Great Britain, is one of four uncapped players in the back division, while props Peter Bracken, Tony Buckley and impressive Leicester flanker Shane Jennings also get a call-up.

Alan Quinlan and Leo Cullen return to the Irish squad after missing out on the Six Nations, 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, but star centres Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy will not make the trip.

In an impressive show of his squad's strength in depth, O'Sullivan has likewise rested other first-team stalwarts such as lock Paul O'Connell, flankers Denis Leamy, Simon Easterby and David Wallace, half-backs Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer, and outside backs Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie.

The twice-capped Bernard Jackman is also named in the squad as one of three hookers on the touring party.

"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."

O'Sullivan said Carney had deserved his call-up.

"Brian has done well for Munster since his arrival and has earned a call into the squad," the coach 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

Neil Best (Ulster), Simon Best (Ulster), Peter Bracken (Wasps/ENG), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leicester), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), Keith Gleeson (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Trevor Hogan (Leinster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leicester/ENG), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), Frankie Sheahan (Munster), Bryan Young (Ulster)

Backs:

Isaac Boss (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Munster), Brian Carney (Munster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Kieran Lewis (Leinster), Barry Murphy (Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester/ENG), Tomas O'Leary (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps/ENG), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps/ENG), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster)

AFP