Ireland name 34-man extended squad for New Zealand Test
Keith Earls has been named in the Ireland squad to face New Zealand despite being suspended for the game
©PA
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has included six uncapped players in a 34-man extended squad that will face New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.
Leinster quartet of Joey Carbery, Luke McGrath, Garry Ringrose and James Tracy and Munster duo Billy Holland and John Ryan are rewarded for their impressive domestic form and are yet to be capped at international level.
Ulster lock Iain Henderson, who is struggling with a shoulder injury and wing Keith Earls, who is currently serving a two-week suspension for performing a dangerous tackle on Glasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown during Saturday's European Champions Cup clash have also been included in the squad but might not be travelling to Chicago to face the All Blacks.
Schmidt told www.irishrugby.ie: "Selections were difficult as always; trying to balance form, fitness, experience, combinations plus assess those players returning from injury or those carrying minor knocks or strains.
"With more than half the squad likely to be involved in Pro12 action this weekend, plus the need to factor in the travel and fatigue from the Chicago fixture, there are also a number of players on standby who are likely to be involved during the first two weeks of the Guinness Series."
Ireland squad
Backs: J Carbery (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), C Gilroy (Ulster), R Henshaw (Leinster), P Jackson (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), L Marshall (Ulster), L McGrath (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Payne (Ulster), G Ringrose (Leinster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), S Zebo (Munster).
Forwards: F Bealham (Connacht), R Best (Ulster, capt), S Cronin (Leinster), U Dillane (Connacht), T Furlong (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), B Holland (Munster), J McGrath (Leinster), J Murphy (Leinster), S O'Brien (Leinster), P O'Mahony (Munster), D Ryan (Munster), J Ryan (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), D Toner (Leinster), J Tracy (Leinster), J van der Flier (Leinster).
