A SQUAD of 31 was named by Ireland Coach Declan Kidney this week for the 2012 Guinness Series games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. There are four uncapped players selected in the main party. UL Bohemians and Munster loosehead prop David Kilcoyne gets his first international call up. ‘Killer’ Kilcoyne is joined by Luke Marshall, Iain Henderson and Richardt Strauss as the new crew.
South African born Strauss is now eligible to play for Ireland based on his residency for the past three years.
In addition to the naming of the Ireland squad for the 2012 Guinness Series, there were also changes announced to the makeup of the national coaching staff with current Munster assistant coach and former International Anthony Foley joining the Ireland coaching team.
Foley will be now be leading the defence plans and systems, allowing current assistant coach Les Kiss to lead the attack shape for the team as well as continue to coach the backline.
Foley will remain working with Munster Rugby outside of the international window. It was also confirmed that Leinster scrum coach Greg Feek will continue providing his expertise to the Ireland team during competition time.
Commenting on the Guinness Series games and the addition of Anthony Foley, Ireland coach Declan Kidney said, “We have three incredibly competitive games ahead of us in November and while there have been quite a few injuries and niggles in the early part of the season, it has opened up opportunities for other players to step into the squad. There are world ranking points on offer, so the underlying challenge for us is to work towards retaining and improving our ranking position ahead of the Rugby World Cup pool draw. While that is the end goal, our focus will be getting our preparations right to match the intensity of international games. I’m pleased that Anthony has taken up the offer of working with the squad to assist during this vital period in November.
“His previous experience of working with the team during the last RBS 6 Nations championship was important, but his own abilities and experience were central to bringing him onboard. I would like to thank Rob Penney and Joe Schmidt for being so positive and giving Anthony (Foley) and Greg (Feek) the scope to be part of the plans that we have.”
Munster’s coach Anthony Foley added, “I was delighted when Declan approached Rob and I about the possibility of working with the Ireland team again. I enjoyed the opportunity I got during the Six Nations working with the players and I felt once we were all comfortable with the balance between Munster and Ireland, I jumped at the chance. I certainly feel I can contribute positively and when you get the chance to coach with your country, you don’t want to pass it up”.
Ireland kick off the series on November 10 versus South Africa, before playing Fiji in Limerick on November 17. The final game of the series is against Argentina on November 24.
Ireland Squad:
Best, Bowe, Cave, Court, D’Arcy, Earls, Ferris, Healy, Heaslip, Henderson, Henry, Kilcoyne, Marshall, Muldoon, Murray, McCarthy, McFadden, McLaughlin, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, O’Driscoll, O’Gara, O’Mahony, Reddan, Ross, Ryan, Sexton, Strauss, Trimble Tuohy, Zebo.
