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Tuesday, 29 May 2012

No Boss Downunder



Scrum-half Isaac Boss has been ruled out of the Ireland tour to New Zealand because of a thigh injury.

The Leinster player has not recovered in time to take his place in the touring party, which leaves on Thursday.

Paul O'Connell remains a doubt with a knee injury and a final decision on his participation will be made on Friday.

Several positions in the squad will not be confirmed until after Tuesday night's game against the Barbarians.

Ulster number nine Paul Marshall comes into consideration after Boss's failure to regain full fitness.

Marshall's provincial team-mate Stephen Ferris was ruled out of the tour on Friday with a calf complaint.

The flanker sustained the injury during the Heineken Cup final defeat by Leinster at Twickenham last weekend.

A further prop, second row, back row and scrum-half will be added before the squad departs for New Zealand.

And the match against the Barbarians at Gloucester will give players the opportunity to prove their fitness and form before coach Declan Kidney finalises his selection for the three-Test series with the All Blacks.

Kidney has so far named three uncapped players - Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick, Munster hooker Mike Sherry and winger Simon Zebo.

Connacht prop Brett Wilkinson and Ulster flanker Chris Henry are being tipped to fill the other two vacant forwards' positions in the touring party.

Ireland will play world champions New Zealand in Auckland on 9 June, with Tests in Christchurch and Hamilton to follow on 16 and 23 June.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for some of the players coming into the squad," said Irish coach Kidney.

"It will be a great learning experience and this is not the time for the faint of heart. We will go there as strong as we can and front up."
Ireland squad

Forwards: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Tuohy, AN Other, AN Other, AN Other.

Backs: Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo, AN Other.


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