Bradley names Ireland squad

Trimble misses trip Down Under

Last updated: 9th May 2008

Michael Bradley of Connacht in a team huddle

Bradley: squad of 37

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Ireland caretaker coach Michael Bradley has named a squad of 37 for the match against the Barbarians and the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand.

With Munster players unavailable for the Baa-Baas game on May 27 due to Heineken Cup final commitments, seven players will drop out of the squad after the game at Kingsholm. They will link up with the 'A' squad for the Churchill Cup.

Bradley told the IRFU website: "New Zealand is a undoubtedly one of the most challenging places to tour and to win Test matches and that is quickly followed up with a game against an Australian side that will have the fresh input of a new coach and are always among the top sides in the world

Andrew Trimble has joined Gordon D'Arcy among the absentees for the trip Down Under.

Surgery

Ulster centre Trimble requires rehabilitation on a leg injury and will miss the Tests against the All Blacks and Wallabies on June 7 and 14.

D'Arcy was ruled out of the tour earlier in the week after undergoing further surgery on the broken arm sustained during the Six Nations.

The loss of Trimble and D'Arcy has left Ireland short on options in midfield with captain Brian O'Driscoll the only recognised centre.

Munster's Ian Dowling has been called up to plug the gap left by Trimble while Leinster rookie Luke Fitzgerald is also included in the final 30.

Bradley has opted against taking London Irish skipper Bob Casey to New Zealand, instead retaining Leinster veteran Malcolm O'Kelly, with Alan Quinlan offering second row cover.

Ireland squad:
Forwards: N Best (Ulster)*, R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), T Court (Ulster)*, B Casey (London Irish)*, R Caldwell (Ulster)*, S Ferris (Ulster)*, J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), A Quinlan (Munster), M Ross (Harlequins)*, D Wallace (Munster), B Young (Ulster).
Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), I Boss (Ulster), I Dowling (Munster), G Dempsey (Leinster), G Duffy (Connacht), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), J Sexton (Leinster)*, P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster).
*Players for Barbarians match squad but will not be travelling to New Zealand and Australia.