sport

Ireland confirm tour squad

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has finalised his squad for the tour to New Zealand - with call-ups for Paul Marshall and Ronan Loughney.

Uncapped Ulster scrum-half Marshall comes into the squad after Isaac Boss was ruled out through injury, while Loughney provides cover in the front row as Mike Ross is recovering from a hamstring strain.

Chris Henry and Brett Wilkinson have also secured their places on the plane to New Zealand after proving their fitness in the narrow defeat to the Barbarians clash.

Mike McCarthy, though, is added as precautionary cover as Paul O'Connell is continuing his recovery from a knee injury - with the talismanic lock remaining in London for treatment.

Ireland will face the All Blacks in the three Tests, kicking off at Eden Park on Saturday June 9.

Kidney's men then head to Rugby League Park in Christchurch on June 16 and Waikato Stadium on June 23 for the other two Tests against the World Cup champions.