Henshaw to feature in upcoming International Series
ATHLONE’s Robbie Henshaw has been selected as part of the Ireland senior rugby squad for the forthcoming Guinness Series against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in November.
The Ireland coaching staff have announced a squad of 34 players for the forthcoming series and the make-up of the squad is consistent with recent years. There are three uncapped players included in the squad; David Kearney, who was on the bench for Ireland back in 2012, Jack McGrath and James Coughlan.
Those unavailable through injury include Stephen Ferris, Richardt Strauss, Tommy O’Donnell, Jordi Murphy and Simon Zebo, Donnacha Ryan and Iain Henderson.
Henshaw’s inclusion in the squad continues his bid to cement himself in the Irish panel on a permanent basis. He made his senior international debut for Ireland against USA in June and quickly followed this up with another appearance against Canada.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt commented: “The squad combines players who have shown form in the domestic season mixed with those who have a proven record at international level. As always there were some very difficult decisions. Some players have had limited opportunity to impress due to injury and others have performed very well and it was difficult to leave them out. The Series will demand plenty from the squad and I know they’ll be motivated by the challenge.”
The game against New Zealand is already sold out with tickets for Australia and Samoa selling fast.
IRELAND Squad (2013 GUINNESS Series):
Backs (15): Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92).
Forwards (19): Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), James Coughlan (Dolphin/Munster), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster).