Henshaw named in ireland squad for autumn series tests
Robbie Henshaw has been included in the Ireland rugby squad for the forthcoming Guinness Series which features Tests against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.
The Athlone man scored two tries for Connacht in their win over French outfit La Rochelle in the European Challenge Cup last Saturday. That fixture saw another local rugby star - Jack Carty from Barrymore, Athlone – score his first try for the western province.
The Ireland squad of 37 players, captained by Paul O'Connell, features five uncapped players including Connacht's Darragh Leader and Nathan White, Ulster's Jared Payne, Munster's Dave Foley and Leinster's Dominic Ryan.
Ireland take on Heyneke Meyer's South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 8. The Springboks ended the All Blacks' unbeaten run of 22 games with their victory at Ellis Park in the final game of the Rugby Championship in early October.
On Sunday, November 16, Ireland play host to Georgia who have a plethora of players plying their trade at leading French Top 14 clubs.
The final game of the Guinness Series will take place on Saturday, November 22 with the return of the Wallabies to Dublin. The games against South Africa and Australia are sell-outs while there remain opportunities to secure tickets for the game against Georgia.
Players unavailable for selection due to injury include Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald (returning from long term injury), Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Dave Kearney, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Touhy, Andrew Trimble and Damien Varley.
Ireland 2014 Guinness Series Squad
Forwards (21)
Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster) 2; Rodney Ah You (Corinthians/Connacht) 1; Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 77; James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster) 1; Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 35; Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) 1; Dave Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster) *; Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 16; Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster) 67; Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 10; Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 15; Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 10; Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 94 Captain; Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 4; Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 23; Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 41; Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 3; Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) *;
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster) 4; Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 17; Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht) *.
Backs (16)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 54; Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 79; Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster) 5; Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) 3; Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) 6; Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 55; Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) 2; Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht) *; Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster) 10; Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht) 2; Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 28; Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 1; Jared Payne (Ulster) *; Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 55; Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro) 45; Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 8.
*Denotes uncapped player
Buccaneers Update
Buccaneers U-20s take on U.L. Bohemian in the Donal Walsh Cup (North section) at Dubarry Park on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.
This young Buccs outfit have made the perfect start in this league with three bonus point victories. Doing so, they still do not appear to have quite jelled and clearly there is room for improvement and greater potential in this squad. There certainly is a cutting edge among the backs and, hopefully, these young Pirates can raise their endeavours and be more composed and precise against U.L. Bohs who lie joint third. If they do that, then they can maintain their lofty position.
Buccaneers Seconds play Tuam in the Connacht Junior 1B League under lights on Friday night when home advantage at Dubarry Park should ensure that the Pirates retain leadership of this league. Owen O’Reilly is unlikely to allow his charges drop their tempo or focus when the action against the basement club gets under way at 8pm.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers senior team and Corinthians square up in a floodlit Connacht derby showdown on Friday week, October 31, in Dubarry Park, Athlone, with this Halloween cracker kicking off at 7.30pm. There will be a pre-match function for this much anticipated match when you can enjoy a 3-course meal with wine in The Bounty, have a seat in the stand and a complimentary 100 page match programme. Cost is only €30 per person. Small or large groups can be catered for. Contact Pat Hynes (087 6883833) or Geraldine Kenny (086 1732711) to book.
Buccaneers Thirds 15 Ballina 14
Buccaneers Thirds’ improving form finally gained reward when they pipped Ballina 15-14 in their Connacht Junior 1C League encounter at Heffernan Park, Ballina, last Sunday.
Buccs started well and were the much better outfit in the first half, after which they led 15-3. Glen Costello scored a try following fine phases of play from the forwards and he was up in support to touchdown. Martin Lyons finished off a driving maul for a second good Buccs try. Costello landed one conversion and also kicked a penalty while Ballina replied with a penalty.
However, Buccs took their foot somewhat off the gas on the change of ends and a brace of penalties kept Ballina very much in touch. A try by the north-westerners left just the minimum between the sides. But Buccs held on for a morale boosting victory that was really just reward for their improving efforts.
Lyons, Adrian Hughes and Niall Carr were to the fore in the forwards contribution to this key win while backs Ger Walshe, Michael O’Daly and John Shaughnessy can be well satisfied with their roles.
Buccaneers: M.O’Daly; J.Shaughnessy,G.Fallon, G.Walsh, L.Didebashvili; G.Costello, N.Purcell (captain); C.Galvin, M.Lyons, K.Langdon; Anthony Hughes, C.Shanley; N.Carr, J.O’Connor, Adrian Hughes. Replacements: P.Rikadze, D.Lennon and M.Curley.