Schmidt names 42-man Ireland training squad

Ireland’s New Zealander coach has named a 42-man squad for a training camp from September 22-23 in preparation for the Autumn Internationals.

Stalwarts Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell were included as well as France-based Racing Metro fly-half Jonathan Sexton.

Schmidt, who took over from Declan Kidney after leaving Leinster at the end of last season, said he had deliberately opted for a tried and tested squad as Ireland begin their preparation for the November internationals.

“Selection was difficult as it’s the first time we have had to narrow our focus a bit and determine a cut off point for players,” said Schmidt in an Irish Rugby Football Union statement.

“A number of selections were very tight which is positive. The group is predominantly ‘tried and proven’ but with some newer faces as well.

“It’s an opportunity to get to know the players as well as an opportunity to have a look ahead and start to get a little bit of organization done for the Guinness Series (November Tests).”

Schmidt added that he had opted to leave some younger players with their province sides to continue their progression.

Ireland will play Samoa at Lansdowne Road on November 9 before hosting Australia a week later and New Zealand on November 24.

Ireland training squad

Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
James Coughlan (Dolphin/Munster)
Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Shane Jennings (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Niall Morris (Leicester Tigers)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)
Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)