Six uncapped players named in Ireland squad to face NZ
Thursday 27 October 2016 13:23, UK
Ireland have named six uncapped players in a 34-man squad for their Chicago date with world champions New Zealand.
Exciting centre Garry Ringrose is joined in the squad by three other Leinster debutants - fly-half Joey Carbery, hooker James Tracy and scrum-half Luke McGrath.
Munster forwards John Ryan and Billy Holland have also been called up for the November 5 clash at Soldier Field.
Keith Earls has been included alongside the likes of Jonathan Sexton, Jamie Heaslip, CJ Stander and captain Rory Best despite having to serve a suspension for his red card in Munster's European Champions Cup tie against Glasgow last weekend.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt told www.irishrugby.ie: "Selections were difficult as always; trying to balance form, fitness, experience, combinations plus assess those players returning from injury or those carrying minor knocks or strains.
"With more than half the squad likely to be involved in Pro12 action this weekend, plus the need to factor in the travel and fatigue from the Chicago fixture, there are also a number of players on standby who are likely to be involved during the first two weeks of the Guinness Series."
Full squad:
Backs: J Carbery (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), C Gilroy (Ulster), R Henshaw (Leinster), P Jackson (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), L Marshall (Ulster), L McGrath (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Payne (Ulster), G Ringrose (Leinster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), S Zebo (Munster).
Forwards: F Bealham (Connacht), R Best (Ulster, capt), S Cronin (Leinster), U Dillane (Connacht), T Furlong (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), B Holland (Munster), J McGrath (Leinster), J Murphy (Leinster), S O'Brien (Leinster), P O'Mahony (Munster), D Ryan (Munster), J Ryan (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), D Toner (Leinster), J Tracy (Leinster), J van der Flier (Leinster).
