Meath players included
Meath rugby stars Denis Hurley, Niall Ronan and Devin Toner have been called up by Irish coach Declan Kidney for the forthcoming tours of North America and the subsequent Churchill Cup later this month. Kells man Hurley and Laytown"s Ronan are on the senior panel for test matches against Canada and USA and both men will then overlap to take up their places on the Ireland A panel along with Moynalvey"s Toner for the Churchill Cup against Georgia and Canada. Hurley and Ronan are amongst 12 uncapped players selected by Kidney. With Leinster through to the Heineken Cup final on Saturday, 23rd May, the same day as the Test match against Canada, and 13 players travelling to South Africa with the British & Irish Lions, the Ireland tour gives an opportunity for fringe players to put themselves in the frame for next season. While several players are being rested for the tour, 12 capped players are named in the travelling party with Peter Stringer, Bob Casey, Eoin Reddan, Mick O"Driscoll and Denis Leamy among those lending their considerable experience for the tour. The 27-man squad for the Churchill Cup will include players from Leinster following the Heineken Cup final and will also see several from the senior tour also taking part to further their game time experience.