Thursday 26 May 2016 08:53, UK
Ireland have named two uncapped players in a 32-man squad for their tour of South Africa next month.
Ulster flanker Sean Reidy and Connacht lock Quinn Roux are the newcomers in the touring party for the three-Test series.
Head coach Joe Schmidt is, however, without a number of players including Cian Healy, Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo.
Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey and Bordeaux-bound fly-half Ian Madigan have also been overlooked.
Madigan's omission backs up previous statements from Schmidt and performance director David Nucifora that moving abroad will make winning Test selection tougher for Ireland's top stars.
Ireland depart for South Africa on Sunday June 5, with the tour kicking off with the first Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday June 11, followed by the second Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday June 18 and finishing with the third and final Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Schmidt said: "Touring South Africa will be arduous to say the least so we've attempted to prioritise players who are currently as close to full fitness as possible.
"In what is always a difficult balancing act, we've taken a long-term view with a number of players who need a rest or will benefit from a full pre-season."
Ulster hooker Rory Best continues as captain, with Jamie Heaslip retained as his deputy, while powerhouse lock Iain Henderson's return to fitness after long-term injury will boost Ireland's physicality
Schmidt will also have his new defence coach Andy Farrell, who officially started work in April, on board for the tour.
Ireland squad:
Forwards: Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Rory Best (Ulster, capt), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster, vice-capt), Iain Henderson (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean Reidy (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Quinn Roux (Connacht), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster).
Backs: Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Stuart Olding (Ulster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
