Set for Ireland debut: Richardt Strauss
South African-born Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss is one of four uncapped players named in Ireland's 31-man squad for the November Tests.
Ireland will face South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in their three-Test series.
Ulster centre Luke Marshall and forward Iain Henderson, who were involved in the Ireland training camp in September, are included in the squad as are Munster prop David Kilcoyne and hooker Strauss, who is now eligible to play for Ireland based on his residency In Ireland for the past three years.
Leinster full-back Rob Kearney will miss the November internationals as he requires surgery on a troublesome back injury and could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.
There are also changes to the Irish staff with Head Coach Declan Kidney being joined by current Munster assistant coach and former international Anthony Foley.
Foley will be now be leading the defence plans and systems allowing assistant coach Les Kiss to concentrate on attack and the backline.
Foley will continue working with Munster outside of the international window. It was also confirmed that Leinster scrum coach Greg Feek will continue providing his expertise to the Ireland team during competition time.
"We have three incredibly competitive games ahead of us in November and while there have been quite a few injuries and niggles in the early part of the season, it has opened up opportunities for other players to step into the squad," said Kidney.
"There are world ranking points on offer, so the underlying challenge for us is to work towards retaining and improving our ranking position ahead of the Rugby World Cup pool draw. While that is the end goal, our focus will be getting our preparations right to match the intensity of international games.
"I'm pleased that Anthony has taken up the offer of working with the squad to assist during this vital period in November. His previous experience of working with the team during the last RBS 6 Nations championship was important, but his own abilities and experience were central to bringing him onboard. I would like to thank Rob Penney and Joe Schmidt for being so positive and giving Anthony Foley and Greg (Feek) the scope to be part of the plans that we have."
Ireland squad:
Rory Best (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster - Captain), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
Comments
crunchfit says...
@melkdave
There would be a few problems with your argument. Good thing it was all tongue and cheek! The ROI / NI rugby situation wouldn't really be comparable to the supposed ongoing "player coaching" scenario.
Posted 22:50 28th October 2012
melkdave says...
@BiggyFint
You obvisouly didnt see my tongue ib cheek post here ,about overseas players .So ill remind you ,it is not a republic of Ireland rugby team ,it is an all Ireland rugby team ,and last i checked Ulster was part of the UK,so @Safehands and @Passtheball are somewhat correct if not a 100%Unless you want to claim its only a republic team ,in which case by your defintion Ireland have always had alot of overseas players playing for them ie those from Ulster,As i said in my tongue in cheek post irish fans just shouldnt comment on eliegbility rules for players playing for other countries ,it raises so many nice oppotunities to other posters to show that technically they are the worst offenders of all time and even now lol.Of course if you dont wont the Ulster players ,im sure Scotland would love too ,after all historically Ulster is their ancestra homeland ,and players of the quality of S.Ferris ,P.Marshal ,C.Henry ect ect would be a welcome additin to their ranks im sure LOL
AND YES THIS POST IS ANNOTHER DIG AT SOME OF THE MORONIC POSTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE ON PLAYERS PLAYING FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES THAN THEIR BIRTH.People move have families and thus family relations all over the world now ,players are going to try and follow their dreams ,and try and earn a loving where ever they can .If they cant in their country of birth then elsewhere .Its human nature ansd no one cant say they wouldnt do the same if they could
Posted 10:37 26th October 2012
BiggyFint says...
@ safehands & passtheball the rebublic of Ireland is not in the UK.
Posted 07:49 26th October 2012
kinsman says...
@Safehands, whilst entirely agreeing with your comments I believe their may be one exception that I can think of and considering that $1000 is on the line, thought I'd have a crack... (even if it is made of rubber) ;-)
Could be wrong but I'm pretty sure Steve Devine was recruited as an adult because of his rugby playing ability. (Although he still lives in NZ so he did actually make it a permanent home)
Posted 06:32 26th October 2012
passtheball says...
Yes that's what NZ people are angry about - the lies told and retold in the press and repeated on forums and in pubs for two decades - that NZ rugby officials stole / poached kids / babies from the PIs. The truth is from 1960 PI people immigrated to NZ for work and education opportunities and surprisingly brought their children with them. They went through the school, club and age group system like all NZ kids. Some of them became top sportsmen and women, even NZ reps. None were brought in as adults - they would not be good enough anyway without the established training system. Totally different from importing the completed article from SA and NZ as the UK is doing.
So Zandberg and others stop repeating these lies.
Posted 02:01 26th October 2012
safehands says...
@ Jaystarr...hear hear!!
@jamesliveinhope...agreed mate. Of all the nations out there, England is possibly the most diverse and multicultural of the lot in this day and age. My only issue is this residency thing as Jaystarr has said, it is very difficult to accept players who are in their 20's deciding to play for another country, even if they have lived there for the required amount of time. Their identity and attitude has already long been developed at that stage, unlike a young teenager or young child who is still impressionable.
It just appears a bit insincere and that is what most of us don't like. The vast majority of the players with PI heritage either born or growing up in NZ dream of playing for the All Blacks, not Samoa/Tonga/Fiji, cos that is where there national identity is formed....in NZ as NZer's. I doub't Strauss and some of the others moved to the UK dreaming of playing for Ireland/England/Scotland etc.
They moved there for financial reasons and qualify based on residency. They may be proud to be selected for those countries and I don't deny that, but is that pride more to do with their talents being recognised for international rugby rather than them thinking "I am Irish and I have always dreamed of this day"? I find that very hard to believe, especially from an Afrikaans saffa. I'm not having a go at saffas, if you grew up there as I did, you would understand their mentality.
I once lived in England too (Yorkshire mostly) for 8 years making a living as a sportsman and loved the people, culture and lifestyle, but I never wanted to 'become' English and represent England. Therein lies the crux of the matter for most of us. It's just appears wrong....
Posted 01:40 26th October 2012
melkdave says...
@GCP_Jones
Im afraid Kidney has a long history of ignoring players ,not playing for irish teams ,no matter their form or posistion.He ignored M.Ross ,J.Downey,R.Wilson ect for years when they where in top form in the AP ,and his still ignoring R.Caldwell and I.Whitten now.His a joke as this squad shows ,lots of players out of form ,or picked when better players are available,and talant totally ignorned .
Posted 21:21 25th October 2012
Norm says...
No interest in getting into the same sad old NH SH slanging match. For one every fecking nation is doing now, and yes NZ you have been doing it for years too, just because you dont have anyone in your current 15 dont think you can take out that oh so high and mighty pedestal some of you fans like to be abusive from. If you want an example lets start with Jerry Collins, ok played all his rugby in NZ but obviously had his heart in the land of his birth Samoa as he tried to switch and play for them toward the end of his career, despite this being different to the Strauss case it is all shades of the same problem, so afraid the holier than thou horseh** doesnt work.
My point is it is wrong and bad for the game no matter who is doing it and it should be addressed. Be it Strauss, Court, Tuilagi, Cooper whoever, its getting out of control and is damaging to the game. Handbags away ladies
Posted 20:56 25th October 2012
new_j4a says...
@JayStarr says..."This is not about playing for HIS country" Define "HIS" country. Where do you draw the line and who decides.....the IRB? Great, back where we started....that is what happens now. Birth? What happens when a child is born in a different country while his parents are on assignment....and then returns "HOME" to "HIS" country? Not so simple is it? Quick, poorly thought out, shoot from the hip answers have "an unethical reek" IMO.
Posted 18:01 25th October 2012
BackingLeinster says...
Although I am looking forward to seeing Stauss play for Ireland I feel its about time the IRB disallowed the residency rule for tier1 nations. They would need to put in a clause that allowed anyone who had moved prior to it to complete their three years and still qualify. Players that have been brought over with the promise of international rugby would be left out in the cold otherwise and it wouldn't be too fair on them.
Posted 17:23 25th October 2012
JayStarr says...
This is not about playing for HIS country, it's about playing for A country... And that is where this is wrong.
Ireland should be represented by passionate Irishmen who play their hearts out for their country, not by foreigners who have practically been on an extended holiday who are playing for selfish reasons (wanting to play test rugby - anywhere that will take them)...
Screw "the professional era" - this is actually very UNprofessional if you ask me. This whole thing has an unethical reek about it... "The professional era" should not be synonymous with "anything goes"... Rugby can be both professional and ethical.
Posted 15:37 25th October 2012
new_j4a says...
@Propmelsey says..."Well he wont get the No2 shirt for the B & I Lions .... Keven Mealamu is a cert at hooker ......" Kevin Mealamu is a cert for B&I Lions selection? I want some of what you are smoking
Posted 14:58 25th October 2012
APV1 says...
@ andy3624 - is your distaste for Tank a nationality issue, a form issue, or just a personality issue?
Posted 13:48 25th October 2012
GCP_jones says...
HOLD THE PRESS.. Call Deccie
just seen the team sheets fro Worcester v Sale game on Friday night. My god 2 Irish guys playing at tight head, Tony Buckley(I know Hit and very miss) and John Andress.But we have only Ross named in the squad
I hope Kidney actually watches the match, we can't be ignoring players who are playing week in week out in our weakest position.
Posted 12:41 25th October 2012
Propmelsey says...
@TVaddict ... @NHsaints ...... BOYS!! he's not a loosehead ... and he's not a Tighthead ... HE'S A HOOKER!!! Try n keep up fellas :) xx
Posted 10:49 25th October 2012
Propmelsey says...
Well he wont get the No2 shirt for the B & I Lions .... Keven Mealamu is a cert at hooker ......
Posted 10:45 25th October 2012
andy3624 says...
I think the NZ eligibility issue has been over-hyped - saying that they have had a decent amount of non-NZ born/natives since 2000 (Collins, So'oailo, Rokocoko, Muliaiana, Kaino, Sivivatu etc.) but this should be considered no different to any other nation. Us English have been doing it for a while, as have Australia, Scotland, France and now Ireland.
The rules are there for everyone to exploit. International matches are about winning, and so management will always try and play the strongest team possible.
Saying that, I take exception to Thomas Waldrom and don't want him in the England squad lols.
Posted 10:12 25th October 2012
Armchairwarrior says...
Ok, I've had enough, just sent the following to the IRFU. Enough whinging and do something about it or we'll be stuck with this crap for eternity!
Dear Sir/Madam
Can you please pass this message on which represents the view of most of the Irish rugby public.
Why is Declan Kidney still in charge of this team, do we want to constantly lose and be left with a seriously aging team?
Why does he pick ROG, DOC, D'arcy when there are young players with better form and ability? Why does he ignore Paul Marshall when he is the form scrumhalf?
People like myself are tired of the lack of ambition here, and won't be going to any games until the rot stops. So please Mr Browne/Wigglesworth its about time you listened to the supporters
Yours sincerely
A very passionate Irish rugby follower
(Name, location etc)
Posted 09:17 25th October 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
@safehands - Sitiveni Sivivatu, I actually agree with your sentiment about the rubbish talked about New Zealand and poaching but cash is cash.
I think that my main issue with a lot of this is the fact that elements of the SH contributors here will happily criticize England for their selection of Tuilagi (resident in UK from 13) and then use the "lived here since childhood" argument for their PI born players as though its in some way different.
There is one significant difference though between the S15/Celtic models and the English/French and that is that club recruitment policy In England and France is primarily for the benefit of the club with national interests a bonus whereas promising international talent seems to be "found a place" in the centrally contracted operations.
One thing that will happen in the not to distant future though, there is a huge Fijiian contingent in the British Army at present - do not be surprised to see a few overseas born offspring featuring in the premiership over the next decade or two.
Back to the matter in hand though, Ireland, Kidney or Strauss aren't breaking any rules, and are acting for their best interests - fair play to them.
Posted 08:53 25th October 2012
safehands says...
@Zandberg and every other ill-informed/uneducated plonkers out there...NZ do not and have never recruited fully grown adults who have learnt their rugby skills in other countries!!
Do some real research instead of spouting out rubbish as usual...in case you do not know how to research these rather simple facts I'll happily provide to you the following....free of charge too...
Other than Sivivatu who moved as a teenager to play rugby, there are no other All Blacks who have been ¿poached¿. There are 30 All Blacks in history that have been born in the Pacific Islands. Of those 30, 15 have played for the All Blacks in the last 10 years. Of those 15, only Sitiveni Sivivatu moved here past the age of ten years old. The others have all lived most of their lives in New Zealand, played all their school, club and representational rugby in New Zealand as a product of the New Zealand rugby systems.
Pretty simple really, but I suppose explaining it to simpletons is sadly nigh on impossible!!
Posted 08:30 25th October 2012