 Boss will be returning to his native New Zealand with Ireland |
Ulster players Isaac Boss and Bryan Young have been named in the 30-man Ireland squad for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia next month. Scrum-half Boss will be returning to his native New Zealand while prop Young's versatility ensured his place.
Malcolm O'Kelly, Simon Easterby, Johnny O'Connor and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan all miss out because of injury.
Anthony Foley, Keith Gleeson, Gavin Duffy, Leo Cullen, Jeremy Staunton and John Kelly are all named in the squad.
Other Ulster players joining Boss and Young in the squad are Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Simon Best, Rory Best and Neil Best.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said Boss had been included after "turning in consistent displays for Ulster over the last six months".
"We felt that he deserved an opportunity with the senior squad during the summer to give us more options in that position," added O'Sullivan.
"Bryan Young has been a key performer for his province along with the rest of the Ulster front row and now has a chance to prove himself at the very highest level."
A back-row spot in the forwards has left open to allow Munster's Alan Quinlan to get more time to gain match practice in advance of the tour.
Gavin Duffy returns to the senior squad for the first time since winning his last cap against Japan in June last year.
Wasps fly-half Staunton won his last cap on the tour to Japan.
Leinster winger Denis Hickie, who was part of the Six Nations squad after returning from serious injury, claims a place in the tour party as reward for his good form in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League.
O'Sullivan said the three Tests would be a "huge challenge".
"As proved by the Lions tour last year, the intensity of the game in the southern hemisphere is incredibly high and something we will have to prepare ourselves for."
Ireland will face New Zealand on 10 and 17 June before taking on Australia a week later.
The Irish will take on the All Blacks in Waikato and Auckland and their game against the Wallabies will be in Perth.
Ireland squad:
Backs: G Dempsey, G Duffy, G Murphy, T Bowe, D Hickie, S Horgan, J Kelly, G D'Arcy, B O'Driscoll (capt), A Trimble, R O'Gara, J Staunton, I Boss, P Stringer.
Forwards: J Flannery, R Best, S Best, J Hayes, M Horan, B Young, L Cullen, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M O'Driscoll, N Best, A Foley, K Gleeson, D Leamy, D Wallace, AN Other.
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The intensity of the game in the southern hemisphere is incredibly high and something we will have to prepare ourselves for