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Rugby League

Carney answers Ireland's call

30/04/2007

Rugby league convert Brian Carney has been named in Ireland's 30-man squad for the summer tour of Argentina.

Carney switched codes in March when he signed for Munster – two months after he officially retired from rugby league, despite signing a deal to play for Australia's Gold Coast Titans.

Also included among the new caps are props Peter Bracken and Tony Buckley and flanker Shane Jennings.

Malcolm O'Kelly, who missed the 2007 Six Nations with a knee injury, returns alongside a select few who took part in the spring tournament, including replacement scrum-halves Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan and front row Jerry Flannery.

Ulster forward Simon Best captains the touring side, which coach Eddie O'Sullivan says is a chance for many fringe players to force their way into the World Cup squad.

"This tour was always about looking at options with the World Cup in mind," O'Sullivan said.

"It is an opportunity for players to put their cases forward for France and in doing so allowed us to rest the majority of the Six Nations squad."

"Argentina is always a tough place to tour and this will be no different. It gives us the chance to look at players in a pressurised Test match environment and, as well as some experienced players, there are also some new prospects there who will benefit from the experience."

On the selection of Carney, O'Sullivan said it was a reward for his good form since his move to union and was his chance to impress before the autumn.

"He has moved across from league without too much disruption to his game and I thought this was a good time to move him onto the next level and see how he performs," O'Sullivan added.

Full Ireland squad for tour of Argentina:

Forwards:
Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster, capt); Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster); Peter Bracken (Wasps); Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster); Leo Cullen (Leicester); Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster); Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster); Keith Gleeson (St.Mary's College/Leinster); Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster); Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster); Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster); Shane Jennings (Leicester); Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster); Malcolm O'Kelly (St.Mary's College/Leinster); Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster); Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster); Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)

Backs:
Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster); Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster); Brian Carney (Clonakilty/Munster); Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht); Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster); Kieran Lewis (St.Mary's College/Leinster); Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster); Geordan Murphy (Leicester); Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster); Eoin Reddan (Wasps); Jeremy Staunton (Wasps); Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster); Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster).

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