O’Driscoll will be Captain!
He got Hastings backing less than week ago, but has now been confirmed as captain of the Ireland sqaud for the upcoming Autumn Internationals against Canada, New Zealand and Argentina.
Declan Kidney said:
I am delighted that Brian has agreed to captain the squad for the Guinness Series 2008. I have also opted to name a bigger squad than originally anticipated so that we can continue to familiarise a largely new-look backroom staff with a wider group of players.
Our games assume additional importance this year considering their significance as regards our seeding position going into the World Cup 2011 draw being made in December.
We are currently ranked eighth - just ahead of Scotland - so the fact that it is paramount to at least maintain a top eight ranking, underlines the additional importance of our results against Canada, New Zealand and Argentina.’
Ireland Squad:
Backs:
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Ian Dowling (Munster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Barry Murphy (Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster) Captain, Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).
Forwards:
Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Tom Court (Ulster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), Michael Ross (Harlequins), Donncha Ryan (Munster), David Wallace (Munster), Roger Wilson (Northampton).