New faces in Irish squad

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has included seven uncapped players in his squad to face the Barbarians.

Ireland meet the invitational side at Gloucester’s Kingsholm ground on May 29, and will then embark on a three-test tour to face world champions New Zealand.

Kidney will not be able to call on the services of his Leinster contingent for the non- cap fixture as the provincemeets theospreys in the Pro12 final on May 27.

Second-row Paul O’connell is also not selected as he continues to recover from a knee injury, but he has not been ruled out of the tour to face the All Blacks and could yet be included when Kidney names his squad f or

“Two spots in the 24-man squad have been left open”

that trip on Monday, after Ulster and Leinster go head-to-head in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final.

Two spots in the 24-man squad have been left open and will be filled next week.

The front- row trio of Munster hooker Mike Sherry, Connacht prop Ronan Loughney and his Ulster counterpart Declan Fitzpatrick are the uncapped players in the pack.

While behind the scrum impressive Munster wing Simon Zebo and the Ulster trio of Nevin Spence, Craig Gilroy and Paul Marshall are included.

Kidney has also selected a nucleus of experienced campaigners, with fly half Ronan O’gara, lock Donncha O’callaghan and hookerrorybest all among the party.