Darren Cave (l) and Ryan Caldwell will feature in the Churchill Cup

Centre Cave was a member of the Ireland Grand Slam-winning U20 squad and made his Ulster debut last month.

Dungannon lock Caldwell also made his Ulster debut in March.

The 28-man squad, to be captained by Connacht's John Fogarty, includes full internationals Johnny O'Connor, Roger Wilson and Luke Fitzgerald.

Cave's promotion is not unexpected even though he has yet to start a game for Ulster.

A Sports and Exercise Science student at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Cave was prominent during Ireland's dash through the U20 Six Nations campaign.

Caldwell, a Schools' Cup winner with RBAI in 2003, has been a revelation in a troubled Ulster side since he became first-choice lock alongside Justin Harrison.

Quick, athletic and abrasive, Caldwell has been the one player who was beyond criticism as Ulster stumbled during the Magners League conclusion.

Ulster players Declan Fitzpatrick and Paul McKenzie are also included while there are places for Leicester's Ian Humphreys and Northampton's Seamus Mallon.

Only English-based inclusions are Michael Ross of Harlequins plus Leicester duo Frank Murphy and Johnny Murphy.

Bryn Cunningham and Matt McCullough are among a number of players not considered because of injury.

The squad, coached by Connacht's Michael Bradley, will begin their campaign against Canada in Exeter on 19 May and then tackle last year's winners the NZ Maoris on 29 May at the same venue.

Bradley said that he would be looking to the senior players in the squad "to provide the leadership".

"Canada and the New Zealand Maori again offer international class opposition and I think the tournament plays an important role in developing the players' experience at this level," said Bradley.

Ireland A Squad:

Forwards: R Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster), S Cronin (Shannon/Munster), A Farley (Buccaneers/Connacht), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), J Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht) capt, D Gannon (Buccaneers/Connacht), R Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht), S Keogh (Shannon/Leinster), J Lyne (Lansdowne/Leinster), J Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht), J O'Connor (Wasps), J O'Sullivan (Garryowen/Munster), M Ross (Harlequins), D Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), R Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Backs: D Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), K Earls (Thomond/Munster), L Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), J Hearty (Galwegians/Connacht), I Humphreys (Leicester), C Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht), S Mallon (Northampton), F Murphy (Leicester), J Murphy (Leicester), P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), F McFadden (UCD/Leinster), D Riordan (Buccaneers/Connacht), J Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster)

Not considered: B Cunningham (Dungannon/Ulster), D Hurley (UCC/Munster), M Lacey (Galwegians/Connacht), R McCormack (UCD/Leinster), E McGovern (Garryowen/Munster), M McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster), C O'Loughlin (Buccaneers/Connacht), B O'Riordan (Bristol), D Ryan (Shannon/Munster), C Willis (UCD/Leinster)

Friday, 18 May: England Saxons v USA at Edgeley Park, 1945
Saturday, 19 May: Ireland A v Canada at Exeter, 2000
Wednesday, 23 May 2007: Scotland A v USA at Henley, 1800
Friday, 25 May 2007:NZ Maori v Canada at Franklin's Gardens, 2000
Monday, 28 May 2007: England Saxons v Scotland A at Twickenham, 1500
Tuesday, 29 May 2007: NZ Maori v Ireland A at Exeter, 2000
Saturday, 2 June 2007: Finals Day, Twickenham from 1130.