Ireland squad for Game v Samoa.

The omission of Leinster’s Trevor Brennan and inclusion of Munster’s Jeremy Staunton were the main talking points when Warren Gatland announced his 25-man squad for Ireland’s Test match against Samoa

Ulster’s Jonathan also makes a return to the senior side, probably as cover for the centre where Brian O’Driscoll is likely to be rested ahead of the clash with New Zealand on November 17th. Girvan Dempsey is named in the squad although he misses Leinster’s game on Friday night with an Achlilles tendon injury. In the event that Dempsey is ruled out then Gatland has both Gordon D’Arcy and Jeremy Staunton in the squad as cover

Injury to Dominic Crotty has given Staunton the opportunity to impress at full-back for Munster and his call up is well deserved.

The exclusion of Trevor Brennan however raised most eye-brows, the Leinster man having played inspirationally for his province this season and the omission must come as a huge disappointment to the Barnhall man. However, it will be recalled that Gary Longwell was the original choice before breaking his finger and Gatland referred to ‘consistency of selection’ in explaining his decision.

On their last visit to this country in 1996, Samoa won 40-25 at Lansdowne Road in 1996.

Ireland Squad. G Dempsey, G D’Arcy, J Staunton, J Bell, S Horgan, M Mullins, K Maggs, B O’Driscoll, D Hickie, D Humphreys, R O’Gara, P Stringer, G Easterby, P Clohessy, K Wood, F Sheahan, J Hayes, E Byrne, M Galwey, G Longwell, M O’Kelly, E Miller, A Foley, D Wallace, K Dawson.