Irish Rugby
Schmidt unveils first Ireland training squad
ESPN Staff
September 17, 2013
Brian O'Driscoll has been included in Ireland's 42-man training squad © PA Photos
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Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has announced his first squad as boss of the national side and veteran Brian O'Driscoll has made the cut.

The 42-man part will meet at Carlton House on Sunday afternoon and will stay as a group until Monday as they seek to hone their preparations ahead of their autumn Test programme. They begin against Samoa on November 9, then face Australia on the 16th and the All Blacks on the 24th.

Schmidt has not considered Tommy O'Donnell, Michael Bent, Stuart Olding, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy and Felix Jones due to injury but he said they may yet play a role in the autumn series if they recover in time.

"Selection was difficult as it's the first time we have had to narrow our focus a bit and determine a cut off point for players," Schmidt said. "A number of selections were very tight which is positive.

"The group is predominantly 'tried and proven' but with some newer faces as well. It's an opportunity to get to know the players as well as an opportunity to have a look ahead and start to get a little bit of organization done for the series.

"There are a number of players such as Tommy O'Donnell, Michael Bent, Stuart Olding, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy and Felix Jones that were not considered due to injury but some of these players may well be involved in the autumn as they return to full fitness and resume playing.

"There are also a few players who have not yet had many opportunities to make an impression and a few youngsters who have been impressive in the early rounds of the Pro 12 that we've left to keep working with their provinces. There is no doubting the challenge that autumn presents but we're looking forward to get a little bit of a head start this weekend"

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Stephen Archer, Rory Best, James Coughlan, Sean Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Shane Jennings, David Kilcoyne, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy

Backs: Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Rob Kearney, Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin, Niall Morris, Conor Murray, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Zebo

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