South African duo Richardt Strauss and Robbie Diack have been included in Ireland's 37-man squad for the November Tests.
Ulster flank Diack, who won his first Test cap for Ireland against Argentina in June, has shown good form in the Celtic Pro12 and been rewarded with another call-up. Strauss returned to the playing field two weeks ago against Zebre, following a torn hamstring back in March which kept him sidelined for nearly five months.
The squad, which will be captained by the veteran lock Paul O'Connell, also features five uncapped players in fullbacks Jared Payne (Ulster) and Darragh Leader, prop Nathan White (both Connacht), lock Dave Foley (Munster), and flank Dominic Ryan (Leinster). Both Payne and White were born in New Zealand and became eligible on the three-year residency rule.
Players not considered for Ireland's three Tests against South Africa, Georgia and Australia, because of injury are Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Dave Kearney, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Touhy, Andrew Trimble, Damien Varley.
Ireland squad:
Forwards – Stephen Archer, Rodney Ah You, Rory Best, James Cronin, Sean Cronin, Robbie Diack, Dave Foley, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip, Dave Kilcoyne, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Paul O'Connell (c), Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Nathan White.
Backs – Tommy Bowe, Godpn D'Arcy, Graig Gilroy, Robbie Henshaw, Felix Jones, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatly, Darragh Leader, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion, Conor Murray, Stuart Olding, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Johnny Sexton, Simon Zebo.
Photo: Peter Muhly/AFP Photo
