Tourists left out of squad

TWELVE of the party who recently toured New Zealand and Western Samoa with the Irish Development squad were left out of the full Irish squad for the 1997-98 season when it was announced yesterday by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Four of the 12 dropped are full internationals including development squad and London Irish skipper Gary Halpin. There was good news for Irish prop Peter Clohessy, who is included in the 35-man squad. The other full internationals left out are Terenure full back Ciaran Clarke, London Irish winger Niall Woods and Shannon back row Anthony Voley.

Foley will perhaps be most disappointed as he was the only one of the four who played in any of Ireland's seven international matches last season. He lined out against the successful touring Australian and Italian sides, and was a substitute against England.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan, however, has indicated that despite the initial choice of players, good performances in the interprovincial series, which begins next month and in the Heineken European Cup, which starts one week after the conclusion of the interprovincials in September, could see players being drafted back into contention.

"I've written to all of the players who are in the running for national team places. Because they have not been included in this panel does not mean that they are out in the cold from here on," he said.

Clohessy, who was chosen for this year's Lions Tour to South Africa but had to pull out at the last moment because of a back injury, has been included along with his replacement for that tour Paul Wallace. Clohessy, now back with Young Munster, spent last season playing in Australia in the tough Super-12 Series.

Wallace was one of only five players to compete in all seven of Ireland's internationals last season along side Northampton's Jonathan Bell, Bristol's David Corkery, London Irish lock Jeremy Davidson and Malone's Denis McBride.

Wallace's profile has rocketed in recent weeks as he has become part of the successful Irish four of Keith Wood, Davidson and Leicester's Eric Miller, at the heart of the Lions' pack in South Africa.

Garryowen wing Dominic Crotty, who made his international debut against Australia last season and was then dropped for the final two Five Nations games and the Development Tour, has also been disappointed.

One of Ireland's most influential players, Bath winger Simon Geoghegan, whose season last year was devastated by a foot injury that at one stage threatened his rugby career, is in the panel which includes 12 uncapped players.

They are backs Richard Governey, Michael Lynch, Kevin Maggs and Killian Keane and forwards Kieron Dawson, David Erskin, Justin Fitzpatrick, Barry McConnell, Malcolm O'Kelly, Stephen Richie, David Wallace and Gavin Walsh.

Flanker Wallace, who with Lansdowne's likely out-half Governey excelled on the Development Tour, could very well follow his brothers for a notable rugby achievement. Joining his elder brother Richard, a winger with Saracens and the Lions squad in New Zealand in 1993, and Paul, who has 12 caps, he could make rugby history if he gains his senior Irish cap.

Contracts for the players have not yet been announced as discussions are still taking place between the IRFU and the players' agents. The first squad session of the new season will be held on July 17th-18th in Dublin.