Squad for Baa Baa's

[Mauler]

The Ireland Management have today announced the squad for the summer tour game against the Barbarians in Gloucester on May 29th.
The squad comprises of players from Connacht, Munster and Ulster as none of the teams will have any involvement in the RaboDirect Pro 12 final, which takes place in Dublin on Sunday, 14th May the day before the squad is due to depart Ireland for the Barbarians game.
Any Leinster players that are selected for the Ireland tour to New Zealand and who play in the Rabodirect Pro12 final will join up with the squad in Gloucester.

The squad itself contains seven uncapped players with experienced internationals Ronan O'Gara, Donncha O'Callaghan and Rory Best providing the spine of the squad.

Front row forwards Mike Sherry, Ronan Loughney and Declan Fitzpatrick are included, with Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Nevin Spence and Paul Marshall in the backs.

Two spots have been left open and will be filled next week before the team travel to Gloucester. The Ireland squad to tour New Zealand will be announced on the Monday following the Heineken Cup final, so it is possible that several players who face the Barbarians may not be part of the final tour squad.

Second Row Paul O'Connell was not considered for the Barbarians squad as he continues to make progress in his rehabilitation for a knee injury. He has not been ruled out of contention and a final decision on his availability will be made after the Barbarians game.

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said: "The game against the Barbarians is vital for us in our preparations for the tour as it gives some players the chance to gain match fitness if they have not played for a couple of weeks, allows us to further expose some players to the national set up and also gives us the opportunity to get some foundations in place for the test series.

"We have a good majority of our selections decided on for the tour party at this point, but the Heineken final gives us possibly one last opportunity to watch players in what will be a massive occasion for Irish Rugby."

Ireland Squad (v Barbarians, Gloucester, May 29th):

Forwards (13):
Rory Best (Banbridge-Ulster)
Tom Court (Malone-Ulster)
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon-Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon-Ulster)*
Chris Henry (Belfast Harlequins-Ulster)
Ronan Loughney (Galwegians-Connacht)*
John Muldoon (Galwegians-Connacht)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon-Munster)
Mike Sherry (Garryowen-Munster)*
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena-Ulster)
A.N.Other

Backs (11):
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins-Ulster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster-Munster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon-Ulster)*
Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch-Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen-Munster)
Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch-Ulster)*
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena-Ulster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena-Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution-Munster)*
A.N. Other

*Denotes uncapped player


http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/26513.php

[domhnallj]

The 14th of May was yesterday, I think they mean the 27th of May

[ronk]

Maybe Jackson is with the U20s. Curious that Keatley isn't being looked at. More surprised about O'Leary and McCarthy.

[OTT]

Does ROG do Tuesday nights? Didnt think it was in his contract.

[ronk]

Also, no exiles again

[olaf the fat]

Funny the way the BaaBaa's have picked a Munster lock in better form than DOC!

[berniemac67]

Funny the way the BaaBaa's have picked a Munster lock in better form than DOC!

it's often not difficult to make better selections than dk does

i reckon you could pick a second irish XV that would show up many of his selections most weeks

[ronk]

Team does a lot of picking itself. No Wilkinson, hence I could see Loughney being a sub as Fitzpatrick needs the gametime and why would you start him at loosehead.

Court, Best, Fitzpatrick (Bench: Loughney+Sherry)
Any 2 from O'Callaghan, Ryan, Tuohy
Ferris/Muldoon, Henry, O'Mahony
Murray (Bench: Marshall)
O'Gara
Wallace, Earls
Gilroy/Zebo, Trimble
A.N. Other at fullback
Spence and Cave to fight it out over the other bench slot. Possible recall for Geordan Murphy, Earls isn't going to be too eager to miss his chance to play his bestest position.

[olaf the fat]

Plus Earls is not confident playing on the wing anymore

[ronk]

We have 4 guys we're happy to use on the wings and can call up more. What that team doesn't have is a recognised fullback, except Earls. If BOD is back for the tour, Earls misses his chance to play outside centre. If BOD is gonna miss the tour Earls needs the gametime before the tests.

If Munster were going to put Keatley in at fullback (leaving Barnes on the bench!) to keep Earls in position during a semi final, maybe Kidney will want to keep him sweet. Once BOD is back, Earls will be playing on the wing, selfless sacrificer that he is, so it all works out.

[Braddock]

It's a lot thinner than I feared once you take out Leinster.

Tuohy and Cave should be starting. I'd like to see Auva'a and Ruddock or Ryan have a chance too.

[StrangeButBlue]

Two spots have been left open and will be filled next week before the team travel to Gloucester. The Ireland squad to tour New Zealand will be announced on the Monday following the Heineken Cup final, so it is possible that several players who face the Barbarians may not be part of the final tour squad.

Ireland Squad (v Barbarians, Gloucester, May 29th):

Forwards (13):
Rory Best (Banbridge-Ulster)
Tom Court (Malone-Ulster)
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon-Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon-Ulster)*
Chris Henry (Belfast Harlequins-Ulster)
Ronan Loughney (Galwegians-Connacht)*
John Muldoon (Galwegians-Connacht)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon-Munster)
Mike Sherry (Garryowen-Munster)*
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena-Ulster)
A.N.Other

Backs (11):
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins-Ulster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster-Munster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon-Ulster)*
Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch-Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen-Munster)
Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution-Munster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch-Ulster)*
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena-Ulster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena-Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution-Munster)*
A.N. Other

*Denotes uncapped player


http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/26513.php

I wonder if DK will pick the NZ bound players as starters for this game - it is an opportunity for them to vindicate Deckies faith in them. Very interested to see the game plan Ireland go with for this.

[lostprofit]

Munsters Paddy Butler is in the squad.
On one hand, an excellent talent who I believe will be Ireland's starting number 8 in the future.
On the other, only 4 magners starts and a great run in the (meh) B&I cup.

What to believe? Excellent use of talent and resources, or more Munster favourtisim.

[Munsterboy]

Munsters Paddy Butler is in the squad.
On one hand, an excellent talent who I believe will be Ireland's starting number 8 in the future.
On the other, only 4 magners starts and a great run in the (meh) B&I cup.

What to believe? Excellent use of talent and resources, or more Munster favourtisim.

Just not many other options at 8 really. He and Coughlan were called up as injury cover.

[bgmusic]

What about Wilson,now back with Ulster?

[tate]

Team announced, from http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/sport/kidne ... arbarians/

Ireland manager Declan Kidney has just announced the team that will take on the Barbarians tomorrow evening at Kingsholm, Gloucester.

Kidney will be without the services of the Leinster players who narrowly missed out on completing a Heineken Cup/RaboDirect Pro 12 double yesterday at the RDS.

The game against the Baa-baas is the last chance for some fringe Irish players to make it onto the plane to New Zealand, and for some already named in the squad to put their hand up for a starting position. Ireland take on the World Cup winners three times in their back yard in June.

Keith Earls starts at full-back with the uncapped Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo on the wings. The front row trio of Brett Wilkinson, Mike Sherry and Declan Fitzpatrick have a combined total of zero caps between them.

Ireland travel to New Zealand without the services of Steven Ferris. The explosive Ulster back-row misses out on the tour with an injury.

The Barbarians will be keen to make amends following a heavy 57-26 defeat to England at the weekend.

Ireland Starting XV

15. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
14. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)*
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12. Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
10. Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1. Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians /Connacht)*
2. Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3. Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)*
4. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6. John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7. Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)
8. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
17. Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht)*
18. Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19. James Coughlan (Dolphin/Munster)*
20. Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
21. Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
22. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

[domhnallj]

Does anyone know if this is being shown on TV and which channels?

[Munsterboy]

Does anyone know if this is being shown on TV and which channels?

No TV coverage anywhere.

[Twist]

Does anyone know if this is being shown on TV and which channels?

No TV coverage anywhere.

That pisses me off

[domhnallj]

Does anyone know if this is being shown on TV and which channels?

No TV coverage anywhere.

That pisses me off

What does?

1. that the game is being played in the first place?
2. that the game is not being played in Ireland?
3. that there is no t.v. coverage?
4. all of the above?