Paul O'Connell needs surgery to repair damage to hand

Lock O'Connell needs surgery on his damaged hand and is expected to be out for another month while hooker Sheahan damaged neck ligaments at the weekend.

The uncapped quartet of Neil Best, Andrew Trimble, Jamie Heaslip and Robert Kearney are included in the squad for the games in November.

However, Roger Wilson, Paddy Wallace and Kevin Maggs all miss out.

David Humphreys, Tommy Bowe and Kieran Campbell join Trimble as Ulster's representation among the backs while Matt McCullough and Simon Best are included in the pack.

Simon Easterby is also named in the squad despite having surgery on a badly-broken nose. He will undergo fitness test to determine his availability.

"The injury rate at this point of the season has been high and, with three Lions players out injured as well as fitness tests pending on two others, this impacts on the experience in the squad considerably," said Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"At the same time, this creates opportunities for other players in the squad to step forward."

With Ireland missing the likes of with skipper Brian O'Driscoll, Denis Hickie, Guy Easterby, Eric Miller and Alan Quinlan, Best was always in the coach's mind.

Neil Best is included in his first Ireland squad

The 26-year-old Belfast-born back-row player came to prominence three years during the reign of former Ulster coach Alan Solomons.

Quick, strong and not afraid to mix it, he has matured immeasurably and is the Celtic League's top tryscorer with five touchdowns.

The 21-year-old Trimble has had a remarkable introduction to senior rugby and has been in outstanding form for Ulster this season.

The same could be said of Dubliner Heaslip, who comes in as second number eight to cover for Munster veteran Anthony Foley.

Leinster winger Kearney has also shown great strides this season scoring some superb tries.

"The back row is again an area where competition is high. Both Jamie and Neil have impressed in their performances so far this season," said O'Sullivan.

"Andrew Trimble has also slotted in well with Ulster and has benefited from their good run."

There is one place still to be filled, with a vacancy in the backs to be filled after this week's Heineken Cup games.

Forwards:
Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Shane Byrne (Saracens), Reggie Corrigan (Greystones/Leinster), Leo Cullen (Leicester), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's College/Leinster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster).

Backs:
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Kieran Campbell (Dungannon/Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster), David Humphreys (Dungannon/Ulster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Kieran Lewis (St Mary's College/Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution), David Quinlan (Northampton), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), AN Other.

Not considered though injury: Guy Easterby (Blackrock College/Leinster), Denis Hickie (St.Mary's College/Leinster), Eric Miller (Terenure College/Leinster), Brian O�Driscoll (Blackrock College/Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster), Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster).