Ireland squad for NZ tour

Posted on May 21, 2012 in Ireland

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has named a 29 man squad that includes three uncapped players for the three test tour of New Zealand in June.

Declan Fitzpatrick and Mike Sherry are included up front while Simon Zebo is named in the backs as is Darren Cave, who won two caps on the North American tour in 2009.

There are a number of spaces left vacant with a further prop, second row, back row and scrum half to be added before the squad departs for New Zealand.

Brian O’Driscoll returns to the Ireland squad for the first time since the Rugby World Cup and has been confirmed as Captain for the tour.

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Trimble commits to new Ireland contract

Posted on Jan 12, 2011 in Rugby News

Andrew Trimble has become the latest player to commit his future to playing in Ireland with his home province Ulster by putting pen to paper on a new Ireland international contract that will see him remain playing in Ravenhill for a further two years until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Andrew Trimble’s signature follows a successful period of contract negotiations with fellow Ireland international Stephen Ferris also signed under an Ireland international contract until 2013 as well as Nevin Spence, Paddy McAllister and Dan Tuohy also being retained by Ulster Rugby.

Andrew Trimble also joins a growing list of international contracts being awarded with Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Cian Healy also recently signing Ireland contracts. Trimble made his Ulster debut in September 2005 against Cardiff Blues and has so far played 111 times for his province. He quickly followed that debut with his first international appearance for Ireland against Australia in November and has so far won 31 caps and has scored eight international tries.

Andrew Trimble said, “Ulster and Irish rugby are going from strength to strength and my decision to stay in Ireland was to make sure I was part of that. We have some big games coming up, so I am really happy that I was able to agree my new contract before we went into the busy period. As well as the challenges we have in the Heineken Cup and Magners League coming up, I was conscious that I also wanted to concentrate on playing as well as possible here with Ulster so I can challenge for a place with Ireland ahead of the Six Nations and the World Cup this year. Our game this weekend against Biarritz is my first priority and everybody in Ulster Rugby is firmly focused on that.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “It is great news that the IRFU and Andrew have come to an agreement that allows him to continue his playing career in Ireland with Ulster. It is important for both the Provinces and Ireland to keep as many of our top players playing here.”

Director of Rugby in Ulster David Humphreys said: "Here at Ulster Rugby we’re delighted that Andrew has chosen to continue and further his rugby career in Ireland. He’s enjoying a rich vein of form, and as one of the senior members of the Ulster Squad he’s played an integral part in the improvements we’ve made this season. As we saw from his performance last weekend against Teviso, he’s certainly back to his best."

Cian Healy signs new deal

Posted on Jan 5, 2011 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced the signing of another international contract with Cian Healy signing a new deal that will seem him continue to play in Ireland for another two seasons up to 2013.

The IRFU are currently in the process of contracting Ireland based players and Healy’s new contract comes on the back of those recently awarded to Donncha O’Callaghan and Ronan O’Gara with Munster.

Healy has represented Ireland at Schools, under 19, under 20, A and full international level and at only 23 has already won 13 caps for Ireland.  He made his Leinster debut in the Magners League in 2007 and has appeared for his hometown province on 68 occasions.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said, “We began the process of contracting players as early as the summer and while it is something that can take time to complete, this is nothing new and we are progressing through the majority of those contracts that are coming to an end this season or early next season.  With a fixture list of potentially over 40 matches per season and with even more games in overseas leagues where we would have no influence on the game time for Irish players, it is vital that we continue to work to retain players to play within Ireland in the provinces.  It’s only in this way that we can continue to have a positive influence on their development and in particular to ensure that our international players are best equipped to contribute to the further success of Irish rugby at international level and also at provincial level.”

Cian Healy said, “I am delighted to have my new contract signed as it means I can continue to concentrate on playing for my home province and improving my game further.  It has been a good couple of weeks for us and so I just want to focus on playing well for Leinster to keep me firmly in the plans of Declan and the national team.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “For a young player like Cian who has progressed really well over the last 18 months this is good news as it allows him to continue to develop as a player in Ireland. He has approached every challenge with the same hard working attitude and if he continues to do this he can become an even better player."

Leinster Rugby Coach Joe Schmidt said, “Cian is a strong and dynamic ball-carrying loosehead and it was great to see his efforts rewarded with two tries in the recent Heineken Cup win over ASM Clermont Auvergne. Cian has been impressive progressing through the Leinster Academy, into the Leinster Senior Team and onto the Ireland International side. At just 23, there is obviously still plenty of scope for further development which promises real benefit for both Leinster and Irish rugby.”

Ireland announce team

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney has named the team to play France in the second game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Paris on Saturday. Keith Earls has been selected on the left wing in place of Andrew Trimble.  Donncha O’Callaghan has not recovered from the injury that ruled him out of the opening game. Leo Cullen has been named to start in the second row.

A vacancy has been left blindside flanker pending confirmation of the fitness of Stephen Ferris. Both players took part in training with the Ireland team today but a final decision will be made on Thursday. The seven replacements will also be finalised on Thursday from the possible nine players named today.
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