Ireland Squad Begin First Pre-Season Camp

The Ireland squad converged in Kildare on Sunday evening for the first of the three planned pre-season camps as part of preparations for the Rugby World Cup in September.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney recently announced a 43-man panel that would take part in this first camp, which included four uncapped players in Conor Murray, Felix Jones, Brett Wilkinson and Mike McCarthy.

While the majority of players have already begun some level of pre-season training depending on when they finished playing, there are several players from that original 43-man squad who will not be attending due to injury or ongoing rehabilitation.

Wilkinson pulled his hamstring and has remained in his provincial centre to begin rehabilitation on the injury.

Stephen Ferris has returned to full running following his knee injury in January, but has remained with Ulster to continue his rehabilitation programme.

Gordon D’Arcy had injured his right ankle during the Heineken Cup final and having not responded to treatment, underwent surgery last week.

It is expected that he will return to full training at the start of August and should be available for selection for the home GUINNESS Summer Series games against France and England.

Tickets for Ireland v England and Ireland v France in the GUINNESS Summer Series are on sale now.

There is great value with tickets starting at just 20 euro. Family packages for two adults and two kids start at 60 euro. The first phase was snapped up but more family packages have been made available.

IRELAND WORLD CUP PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE –

June 27-July 1: Ireland squad camp, Carton House, Kildare
July 2-July 14: Players based in provincial/club centres
July 14-July 15: Ireland squad camp, Carton House, Kildare
July 16-July 24: Players based in provincial/club centres
July 25-July 29: Ireland squad camp, Carton House, Kildare

GUINNESS SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES:

Saturday, August 6: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, 2.15pm
Saturday, August 13: France v Ireland, Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux, 8.45pm local time
Thursday, August 18: Ireland Select XV v Connacht, Donnybrook, Dublin
Saturday, August 20: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 5pm
Saturday, August 27: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 2.30pm

Click here to purchase GUINNESS Summer Series tickets.

Related Links –

Ireland Training Squad Is Announced