5 Talking Points As Ireland Name 42-Man Squad For November Internationals

Autumn awaits.

Joe Schmidt and his coaching panel today named an extended 42-man Ireland squad for their upcoming November international fixtures against Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and USA.

There are three uncapped players included in the squad – Munster centre Sam Arnold, Leinster outhalf Ross Byrne and versatile Ulster back Will Addison.

Other players who have earned recalls after absences include the likes of loosehead Dave Kilcoyne, centre Stuart McCloskey,  prop Finlay Bealham and winger Darren Sweetnam.

Here are five talking points.

No Conor Murray.
As revealed by the man himself earlier today, Conor Murray will not be fit in time to take part in any of Ireland’s fixtures next month. The world class nine will be sorely missed but Schmidt has named three very capable deputies in Luke McGrath, John Cooney and Kieran Marmion.

Will Addison is in.
Former Sale Sharks back Will Addison has been included as one of three uncapped players in the squad having impressed for Ulster so far this season. The versatile back can play at fifteen or in the centre and trained with Ireland in Australia over the summer.

Big squad.
In naming a 42-man squad with a litany of props, back-rows and centres – Schmidt will likely look at giving a number of fringe players run outs against the likes of Italy and USA, with his top stars held back for the games against Argentina and the All Blacks. A brilliant move from Schmidt and a huge opportunity for those guys to impress and climb the ladder.

Rory Best returns as captain.
After missing the Australia series with Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony taking over the captaincy in a shared captaincy, Ulster hooker Rory Best returns as captain. Peter O’Mahony has been named as vice-captain with the Munster flanker widely tipped to assume the captaincy when Best eventually retires from international rugby.

Stuart McCloskey is back
A surprise selection here, but a warranted one all the same. The Ulster centre has long been a fan-favourite but has been regularly overlooked by Schmidt. His inclusion is a huge opportunity for him to convince the Ireland head coach he should be a regular in the Irish set-up – providing he gets the required game time to show him.

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