Brian O'Driscoll has been appointed Ireland captain after coach Declan Kidney unveiled a squad of 41 for the autumn internationals.
Leinster star named as skipper for autumn internationals
Brian O'Driscoll has been appointed Ireland captain after head coach Declan Kidney unveiled a squad of 41 for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Kidney announced his initial selections for the games against Canada on November 8, New Zealand on November 15 and Argentina on November 22.
The squad will meet up in Limerick on Monday 27 October for a week's training. Then the squad will be cut down to 30, from which the 22 starters against Canada will be chosen.
Kidney said: "I am delighted that Brian has agreed to captain the squad for the Guinness Series 2008.
"I have also opted to name a bigger squad than originally anticipated so that we can continue to familiarise a largely new-look backroom staff with a wider group of players.
"Our games assume additional importance this year considering their significance as regards our seeding position going into the World Cup 2011 draw being made in December.
"We are currently ranked eighth - just ahead of Scotland - so the fact that it is paramount to at least maintain a top eight ranking, underlines the additional importance of our results against Canada, New Zealand and Argentina."
Ireland squad:
Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Ian Dowling (Shannon - Munster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College - Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians - Connacht), Keith Earls (Young Munster - Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College - Leinster), Shane Horgan (Boyne - Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD - Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians - Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD - Leinster) Captain, Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution - Munster), Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin - Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College - Leinster), Peter Stringer (Shannon - Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena - Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena - Ulster).
Forwards: Rory Best (Banbridge - Ulster), Tony Buckley (Shannon - Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon - Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Tom Court (Malone - Ulster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon - Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon - Munster), John Hayes (Shannon - Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf - Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas - Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon - Munster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf - Leinster), Shane Jennings (St. Mary's College - Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution - Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution - Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster - Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St. Mary's College - Leinster), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution - Munster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon - Munster), Michael Ross (Harlequins), Donncha Ryan (Shannon - Munster), David Wallace (Garryowen - Munster), Roger Wilson (Northampton).
