Ireland name squad for Chicago

Ireland name squad for Chicago showdown

Date published: October 26 2016

The Ireland coaching team have announced their squad of 34 players that will prepare for the fixture against New Zealand on November 5.

There are six uncapped players named among the 34-man squad with Joey Carbery, Billy Holland, Luke McGrath, Garry Ringrose, John Ryan and James Tracy all included.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said it hard picking a squad.

"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," Schmidt said.

"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 Series."

Ireland Squad:

Forwards: Finlay Bealham, Tadgh Furlong, Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Rory Best (c), Sean Cronin, James Tracy, Ultan Dillane, Iain Henderson, Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Kieran Marmion, Conor Murray, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Robbie Henshaw, Luke Marshall, Garry Ringrose, Rob Kearney, Jared Payne, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo

 full strenght Ireland,.... Cian Healy, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Rob Kearney and, specially, Jonathan Sexton who missed the June series in SA are back in the team,..... very interesting games ahead

the first game Ireland will very probably be rusty and lacking coordination,.... it's their first game of the season´while the AB come from playing the RC and are a well consolidated team,.... but the second one at Dublin,.... that will be another story,.... IMO the hardest game of the season (the last one against France could be very tricky also),.... Ireland is the best European team at this moment,..... better than England,.... hope they beat the poms next year's 6 nations and take the wind out of Eddie Jones' sails

Oh for heaven sake toughen up. All this whining about Eddie and Checkmate just because they don't worship at the altar of AB rugby. Cant you tolerate even a dram of opposition? In any case Chicago is a home game, there are 250000 Irish people in the city alone....many more in the suburbs.

 what whining? what are you talking about? you don't have enough quarrel and brawl in the threads that you open for it that you have to come to the rugby threads looking for it?

take your med s and forget me

Popo the puppet can do anything, when somebody else pulls the strings.

 I agree with Abasquefan...can't wait to see that stupid grin swept out of Jone's face!
That will be a treat!

I don't care if the Boks los e every game, except England. I want to see Jones' England humiliated by an under-sthrengh Springboks team...

Oh dear, the Quackster despises the man who helped the Boks win the WC. Is nothing sacred? That said I would love it if the Boks win, I have watched a few games at Twickers, including the WC semi against Oz in 99.....a less sporting crowd is hard to imagine. They were positively Basque-like in their hostility towards the Boks.

 Eddie has already kicked off the mind games in fine style......is he one of the greatest rugby brains of the modern era? Funnily enough UrinalRooi has little or no respect for the coach who masterminded the fall of the Boks by lowly rated Japan

 Eddie Jones was still on the outs with Aussie rugby before the series earlier this year .Many say his "legacy " left the Wallies in a parlous state .Anyways I hope the Boks give the Poms a wee touch-up ,theres nothing more annoying than a Pom who thinks hes won something unless its an Aussie like Fast Eddie Felcher .

Eight of us are heading down to Soldiers Field to watch the ABs make it 19....it should be a grand occasion, followed by a great steak at the Chicago Cut. I hope your lads field the A team WD.

 I hear Chicago has some of the best steak joints anywhere ,sounds like an excellent day !