Heaslip will captain Ireland in Six Nations

An enlarged 39 man squad containing six uncapped players has been named as part of the preparations for the upcoming O2 Ireland Wolfhounds game and the opening game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against Wales.

In addition to the squad being announced, it was also confirmed that Jamie Heaslip would continue in the captaincy for the RBS 6 Nations Championship after leading the side during the Guinness Series in November.

The six newcomers are Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan, Paul Marshall, Dave McSharry and Lewis Stevenson.

The senior Ireland coaching team will take charge of the Wolfhounds side which will play the England Saxons in the Sportsground on Friday, 25 January.

Ireland training squad

M Bent, R Best, I Boss, D Cave, T Court, S Cronin, D'Arcy, K Earls, L Fitzgerald, D Fitzpatrick, C Gilroy, C Healy, J Heaslip (capt),

I Henderson, R Henshaw, P Jackson, R Kearney, D Kilcoyne, I Madigan, P Marshall, C Murray, M McCarthy, F McFadden, D McSharry, S O'Brien,

D O'Callaghan, B O'Driscoll, R O'Gara, P O'Mahony, E Reddan, M Ross, D Ryan, J Sexton, L Stevenson, R Strauss, D Toner, A Trimble, S Zebo

It was also announced that Munster assistant coach Anthony Foley and Leinster Rugby's Greg Feek will be part of that coaching team for the Wolfhounds game and will continue to work with the Ireland squad throughout the Six Nations.

The move to involve the senior coaches with the Wolfhounds team is designed to aid preparations for Ireland's opening game against Wales in Cardiff by giving the Ireland coaching staff the opportunity to work with the players and also give those same players a chance to impress the coaches.

The squad will see several further additions, primarily in the backrow, following this weekend's round of European games.

Both squads will train together in the training base in Carton House, with a Wolfhounds squad selected later next week. After the Wolfhounds game, a shortened training squad will be selected for the Wales game.

In addition to the squad being announced, it was also confirmed that Heaslip would continue in the captaincy for the RBS 6 Nations Championship after leading the side during the Guinness Series in November.

Speaking after today's announcement, coach Declan Kidney said: "Our priority is the Wales game, but there is an opportunity in the Wolfhounds match for some of the players as we head into the Six Nations.

"While the majority of our focus is on the preparations for the Wales game, the coaching staff felt it made sense to have time with the wider group of players and also to have two fully fit teams on the field ready to train after what is usually an attritional end to the group stages in Europe.

"There are quite a few players who have been out injured and could be lacking game time, so this will be the ideal chance for them and the newer members in the squad to challenge for places in the senior team.

"After the Wolfhounds game we will able to name a smaller squad which will train together and prepare for the Wales game."

Commenting on the captaincy, Kidney added "Jamie had done a really good job for the squad and management during November and I felt that now was the correct time to do this.

"Brian has had very little rugby in the last number of months and I think he deserves the space and time to concentrate on getting himself back playing fully fit.

"We need Brian the player just as much as we need Brian the captain and typical of the man and the selfless way he has contributed to Irish Rugby and the Ireland team, he has said that the captain and the team would have his full support."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Heaslip will captain Ireland in Six Nations

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2013/01/heaslip-will-captain-ireland-in-six.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Heaslip will captain Ireland in Six Nations

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Heaslip will captain Ireland in Six Nations

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy