Ferris wheels his way into Ireland squad

Following a barnstorming start by Irish teams to the Heineken Cup at the weekend, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was left with the unenviable task of selecting a 32-man squad for the autumn internationals against South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

As usual the omissions will prove just as much a talking point as the inclusions, which see four uncapped players - Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip, Paddy Wallace and Luke Fitzgerald - join the fray.

Backrow Ferris's inclusion will be welcomed in Ulster, having been ever-present in the their pack this season, and impressing in the weekend's 30-3 win over three time European champions Toulouse at Ravenhill on Saturday.

"Stephen has played himself into what is a very competitive Ulster backrow and has benefited from the game time in the Magners League and Heineken Cup," said O'Sullivan today. "We felt that it was a good time to bring him up to the next level to have a closer look at him and to see how he has progressed."

Similarly, the Leinster contingent will feel that Heaslip's first senior cap is long overdue, having been included in squads before.

His teammate Fitzgerald has his form - and possibly the loss through injury of Ulster wing Tommy Bowe - to thank for his call to arms, while Ulster centre Wallace will also gain from the experience, though an immediate breakthrough seems unlikely for both

O'Sullivan admitted today that his selection was a difficult one, "particularly in the back five of the forwards."

Having only three players ruled out through injury, Bowe, Johnny O'Connor and Jerry Flannery, and a host of players returning to international action, places were at a premium.

Nonetheless Munster's Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan and Mick O'Driscoll are omitted, although it has subsequently emerged that Foley is out until the New Year with a shoulder injury. Leicester's Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings also miss out, though O'Sullivan, who is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, reminded the inevitable detractors that "there were some great performances from so many players (at the weekend) and there are several who were very unlucky not to make the cut".

Props John Hayes and Simon Best return, the latter having last been included during last year's Six Nations.  Record caps holder Malcolm O'Kelly has also overcome injury (groin) and returns, having imposed himself on the Gloucester lineout at the weekend, and earning a sinbinning for his efforts.

Leinster's star man at the weekend was Gordon D'Arcy.  The centre has recovered well from the shoulder injury that kept him out of the September training camp and rejoins captain Brian O'Driscoll in O'Sullivan's plans for the midfield.

Wasps halfback pairing of Jeremy Staunton and Eoin Reddan appear not to have been affected by plying their trade in England and will provide back-up to Munster's Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer.

The latter will have to fend off some strong competition from Reddan and Ulster's Isaac Boss, whose immaculate solo try against Toulouse will not have gone unnoticed.

Leicester's Geordan Murphy is the only other inclusion from the Guinness Premiership, while Llanelli's Simon Easterby is also called up.

Ireland Squad:

Forwards (17):

Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Keith Gleeson (St.Mary's College/Leinster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St.Mary's College/Leinster), Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)

Backs (15):

Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster) Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Denis Hickie (St.Mary's College/Leinster), John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Blackrock College/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Not considered due to injury:

Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) {Leg}, Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster) {Shoulder}, Johnny O'Connor (Wasps) {Neck}