NEWS: The most glaring omission from Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan's 26-strong squad for the upcoming three-match tour to New Zealand is that of flanker David Wallace. O'Sullivan has omitted the out-of-form Garryowen player, preferring to go with a back row group of Llanelli's Simon Easterby, Leinster's Keith Gleeson and Eric Miller and Munster's Alan Quinlan.
A fifth place has been left open, pending a fitness report on Anthony Foley, who has a shoulder injury. Principally the players have been selected on form and with a lot of quality back row players around, Wallace loses out.
"We set out to pick the strongest 26 players both physically and mentally," said O'Sullivan yesterday. "It's a three-match tour and every game is going to be very demanding. The selection goes back to form and how the players have been performing throughout the season. We felt David (Wallace) had a dip in form at the end of the Six Nations Championship whereas players like Alan Quinlan have been playing very well. I suppose to bring David Wallace, you'd be leaving someone out who has been playing well. Obviously it was a tough call but we went with the guys who were playing well."
O'Sullivan has also rewarded Cork Constitution and Munster winger Anthony Horgan for his first-rate season with the province and he travels as the only uncapped player in the squad, which is captained by Harlequins hooker Keith Wood.
Horgan, who hopes to make his Irish debut in one of the two Tests against the All Blacks, and Justin Bishop justify their selection on form alone. Denis Hickie's unavailability due to a back injury obviously creates a position on the wing but Tyrone Howe, who was on stand by for Ireland's game against France, loses out to Horgan on the left while Bishop's versatility secures his place.
"They were tight calls again. Justin Bishop has been playing well and we have him as an option in the centre or on the wing, like Shane Horgan. We've guys who can play both positions and it's important to have those options when you are embarking on a tour like this," said O'Sullivan.
Horgan is recovering from a wound, which opened following an operation to his ankle after Ireland's match against France this year and a place has been left vacant for him. He is due to see a specialist today.
The front row also sees a scramble for the place left vacant by loose head prop Peter Clohessy. Reggie Corrigan, who had an outstanding season with Leinster and the dynamic Marcus Horan come into the squad with the more established John Hayes and Paul Wallace, who can play both sides. So there are clear options there.
"Reggie has had a good run with Leinster and Marcus is an up-and-coming player, who got capped two years ago in the US. Obviously the Claw is not in the squad and it's an opportunity for both of them," says O'Sullivan.
Even though Paul O'Connell is currently carrying an ankle ligament injury and is struggling for fitness, he is included as one of three second row players along with Malcolm O'Kelly and Ulster's Gary Longwell. The hope is O'Connell will recover in time for the Tour, which departs on June 1st even if he does not make Munster's Heineken Cup final against Leicester on May 25th. That means obvious disappointment for Blackrock's Leo Cullen and Constitution's Mick O'Driscoll.
"Leo and Mick were in the frame. But you do establish pecking orders and if you break that pecking order then there has to be good reason for doing it," says O'Sullivan. "There is no developmental aspect to this tour in any way, shape or form. It's a chance for guys to throw down markers for next season in three tough matches." Not considered for selection this time around because of injury were Jonathan Bell, Simon Best, Emmet Byrne, Jeremy Davidson, Kieron Dawson, Kevin Maggs and Hickie.
Ireland squad
BACKS: Bishop (London Irish), Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Henderson (Munster/Young Munster), Horgan (Munster/Cork Constitution), Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon), Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Murphy (Leicester), O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College), O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Stringer (Munster/Shannon), A N Other.
FORWARDS: Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Corrigan (Leinster/Lansdowne), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Gleeson (Leinster/St Mary's College), Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Horan (Munster/Shannon), Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), O'Connell (Munster/Young Munster), O'Kelly (Leinster/St Mary's College), Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Wallace (Leinster/Blackrock College), Wood (Harlequins, capt); A N Other.
Manager - Brian O'Brien; Coach - Eddie O'Sullivan; Assistant Coach - Declan Kidney; Forwards Coach - Niall O'Donovan; Defence Coach - Mike Ford; Fitness Director - Mike McGurn; Doctor - Michael Griffin; Physiotherapist - Ailbe McCormack; Baggage Manager - Paddy O'Reilly; Media Officer - John Redmond.
Tour itinerary
June 8th (5.05 pm local time): v New Zeland Divisional XV, Timaru; June 15th (7.05 pm): v New Zealand, Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin; June 22nd (7.05 pm): v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland.
