Schmidt Names Ireland Squad For Autumn Internationals

Joe Schmidt has named his Ireland squad for the upcoming Autumn internationals and the big news is that there is no place for out-half Paddy Jackson with Munster’s Ian Keatley being rewarded for his Champions Cup heroics with a place in the squad.

There’s also space for two New Zealand born débutantes in the shape of Connacht prop Nathan White and Ulster’s Jared Payne. They join Connacht’s Darragh Leader, Munster’s Dave Foley and Leinster’s Dominic Ryan as the only uncapped selections.

The Ulster pair of Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall had already ruled out earlier in the day and they join and extensive injury list which includes Keith Earls, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Touhy, and Damien Varley.

Ireland will play tests against South Africa on November 8th and Australia on November 22nd. Sandwiched in between will be a match against Georgia on November 16th. All of the matches will take place in the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland squad for Autumn Internationals:

Forwards
Stephen Archer
Rodney Ah You
Rory Best
James Cronin
Sean Cronin
Robbie Diack
Dave Foley
Chris Henry
Jamie Heaslip
Dave Kilcoyne
Mike McCarthy
Jack McGrath
Paul O’Connell (CAPTAIN)
Tommy O’Donnell
Peter O’Mahony
Mike Ross
Rhys Ruddock
Dominic Ryan
Richardt Strauss
Devin Toner
Nathan White

Backs 
Tommy Bowe
Gordon D’Arcy
Craig Gilroy
Robbie Henshaw
Felix Jones
Rob Kearney
Ian Keatley
Darragh Leader
Ian Madigan
Kieran Marmion
Conor Murray
Stuart Olding
Jared Payne
Eoin Reddan
Johnny Sexton
Simon Zebo