Churchill Cup Squad

Just three Munster players, John O’Sullivan, Sean Cronin and Keith Earls are named in Ireland’s Churchill Cup squad.

The competition begins later this month and takes place in the south of England where Ireland will open with a game against Canada in Exeter on May 19th followed by a clash with New Zealand Maori at the same venue (Sandy Park) ten days later.

The call up for O’Sullivan is no more than just reward for his consistently good performances for Munster this season and last Saturday evening producd another tour de force in the 15-7 win over Newport-Gwent Dragons in Musgrave Park. Earls made his debut off the bench for Munster against Neath-Swansea Ospreys three weeks ago but Cronin hasn’t featured for Munster this season yet gets in ahead of Denis Fogarty who won his 18th Munster cap in the Magners League game against Llanelli Scarlets a fortnight ago.

Fogrty’s brother Connacht captain John will lead the squad.

Forwards (15): Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Farley (Buccaneers/Connacht), Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht) Captain, David Gannon (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht), Stephen Keogh (Shannon/Leinster), John Lyne (Lansdowne/Leinster), John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht), Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), John O’Sullivan (Garryowen/Munster), Michael Ross (Harlequins), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster). 

Backs (13): Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), John Hearty (Galwegians/Connacht), Ian Humphreys (Leicester), Chris Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht), Seamus Mallon (Northampton), Frank Murphy (Leicester), Johnny Murphy (Leicester), Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (UCD/Leinster), Danny Riordan (Buccaneers/Connacht), Johnny Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster).

Saturday, 19th May 2007: Ireland A v. Canada at Sandy Park, Exeter (20.00 kick off)

Tuesday, 29th May 2007: New Zealand Maori v. Ireland A at Sandy Park, Exeter (20.00 kick off)

Saturday 2nd June 2007: Barclays Churchill Cup Finals Day at Twickenham Stadium.