Joe Schmidt has named a big enough squad for the upcoming game against Italy in Chicago and the Guinness Series home stand.
The Ireland squad for the four Test matches in November has been announced by the IRFU. It contains three uncapped players – Will Addison (Ulster), Sam Arnold (Munster) and Ross Byrne (Leinster)
Rory Best is captain for the upcoming slate of games, with Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony acting as vice captains.
There is no Conor Murray in the Ireland squad but the Munster scrum-half is hopeful for a return to Munster action in late November. Finlay Bealham, Stuart McCloskey, Quinn Roux and Josh van der Flier are all included, as are Keith Earls and Dan Leavy.
Here's the squad for the Guinness Series 2018 & @TheRugbyWeekend
☘️ v @Federugby – Nov 3rd https://t.co/d7TKO0j4J5
☘️ v @lospumas Nov 10 – Sold Out
☘️ v @AllBlacks Nov 17 – Sold Out
☘️ v @USARugby Nov 24 – https://t.co/fYpZbhQDUw#TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/fIIqFIPrI2
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 24, 2018
Several of the players named in the squad will first have to negotiate Guinness PRO14 action, this weekend, before they link up with the Ireland squad at Carton House on Sunday evening.
The squad will then fly out for Chicago and, on November 3, they play Italy at Soldier Field [scene of their famous win over the All Blacks].
They return to Ireland for Guinness Series games against Argentina, New Zealand and USA at the Aviva Stadium.
