Joe Schmidt Names Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour

Joe Schmidt has named his Ireland squad for this summer’s tour of South Africa.

Speaking at the announcement Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt said:

 “Touring South Africa will be arduous to say the least so we’ve attempted to prioritise players who are currently as close to full fitness as possible. In what is always a difficult balancing act, we’ve taken a long term view with a number of players who need a rest or will benefit from a full pre-season.”

Players unavailable for selection include Cian Healy, Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo.

All three Tests will be broadcast live on SKY Sports.

Ireland Squad for 2016 Summer Tour of South Africa

Forwards (18)

Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (c)

Sean Cronin (St Marys/Leinster)

Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)

Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)

Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (vc)

Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Jack McGrath (St Marys/Leinster)

Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Sean Reidy (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*

Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)

Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht)*

Rhys Ruddock (St Marys/Leinster)

Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)

CJ Stander (Munster)

Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)

Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Backs (14)

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)

Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)

Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)

David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)

Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)

Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Jared Payne (Ulster)

Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)

Jonathan Sexton (St Marys/Leinster)

Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

*uncapped

Ireland Summer Tour 2016 Fixtures

South Africa v IRELAND

Saturday 11th June, 2016

DHL Newlands Stadium KO 17:00 (16:00 GMT)

South Africa v IRELAND

Saturday 18th June, 2016

Emirates Airline Park KO 17:00 (16:00 GMT)

South Africa v IRELAND

Saturday 25th June, 2016

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium KO 17:00 (16:00 GMT