Ireland name squad for November tests

Ireland have named an extended squad of 38 players to take part in their three-match November test series. Dublin’s Aviva Stadium will host South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina on successive weekends starting on November 11.

Included in the group are 10 players who traveled with the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand earlier this summer. The only absentee from that group is Jared Payne, who is joined on the sidelines by notables Jamie Heaslip and Garry Ringrose.

Head Coach Joe Schmidt has called up four uncapped players, all in the backs. New Zealand-born midfielder Bundee Aki makes his long-awaited debut in the squad after qualifying on residency. He is joined by Munster recruit Chris Farrell, with a pair of new right wingers in Leinster’s Adam Byrne and Darren Sweetnam of Munster.

There is no place for veteran duo Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe. Also left out is Munster star Simon Zebo, whose decision to move to France next season – reportedly Parisian club Racing 92 – looks to have cost him his place.

FORWARDS
Cian Healy (Leinster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), James Tracy (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), John Ryan (Munster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Iain Henderson (Ulster), James Ryan (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Dan Leavy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster)

BACKS
Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Chris Farrell (Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Adam Byrne (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Dave Kearney (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster), Darren Sweetnam (Munster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster)

FIXTURES
Nov 11 – vs South Africa – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Nov 18 – vs Fiji – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Nov 25 – vs Argentina – Aviva Stadium, Dublin