Ireland Name 26 Strong Squad for RWC Qualifier

Ireland will bring an extended squad of 26 to the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk for the Rugby World Cup Qualifier against Russia later this month (September 21st).

The extended squad includes Keith Wood who missed last weekend’s game against Romania and both Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara who were injured in that match. Also included are Alan Quinlan and young Ulster star Paddy Wallace.

Good news for the provincial coaches is that all squad members are available to play for their provinces in this weekend’s Celtic League, with the exception of Brian O’Driscoll (quadrocep strain), Ronan O’Gara (ear laceration), Gary Longwell (achilles’ tendon), who are injured and Peter Stringer and Girvan Dempsey, who are resting.

The Ireland team and replacements to play Russia will be announced at 12 noon approx. on Tuesday next, September 17th at Greystones rugby club.

Ireland RWC Qualifier (v Russia) Squad.

Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College), John Kelly (Munster – Cork Constitution), Denis Hickie (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Rob Henderson (Munster – Young Munster), Brian
O’Driscoll (Leinster – Blackrock College), David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon), Ronan O’Gara (Munster – Cork Constitution), Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon),
Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Bishop (London Irish), Paddy Wallace (Ulster – Ballymena).

Forwards: Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones), John Hayes (Munster –
Shannon), Paul Wallace (Leinster – Blackrock College), Keith Wood (Harlequins), Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College), Gary Longwell (Ulster – Ballymena), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Leo Cullen (Leinster – Blackrock College), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony
Foley (Munster – Shannon), Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College), Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon