McGrath named in Ireland squad

Toronto-born Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath is one of six uncapped players named in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad to prepare for their four-match November test series that begins at Soldier Field in Chicago next weekend against the All Blacks. The 23-year-old could well make his debut against the country of his birth when Ireland host Canada at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on November 12.

Other newcomers to the squad include prop John Ryan, hooker James Tracy, lock Billy Holland, flyhalf Joey Carbery, and centre Garry Ringrose. The 31-year-old Holland’s selection comes after a decade of service to Munster both as a lock and loose forward, while Ringrose and Carbery were both part of Ireland’s u20 side in 2015 and considered among the most promising players in the country.

Holland also provides cover for Ulster forward Iain Henderson who has been included despite suffering from a shoulder injury that will likely keep him out of the first two tests. Keith Earls is also present but certain to miss the test in Chicago after a dangerous tackle on Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown on the weekend earned him a red card and a two-week suspension.

The team contains eight members of the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad. Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, and Rob Kearney were all part of the initial touring group named, while Rory Best and Simon Zebo joined the party as injury replacements.

FORWARDS
Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), John Ryan (Munster), Rory Best (capt., Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), James Tracy (Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Billy Holland (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

BACKS
Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Jared Payne (Ulster)

FIXTURES
Nov 5 – vs New Zealand – Soldier Field, Chicago
Nov 12 – vs Canada – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Nov 19 – vs New Zealand – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Nov 26 – vs Australia – Aviva Stadium, Dublin