PAUL TO PLAY FOR

11 new caps in O'Connell's touring Ireland squad

- Derek Foley

PAUL O'Connell has revealed a 32-man Ireland squad for the tour to Georgia and Portugal - with 11 new caps in a panel to be captained by Craig Casey.

These newcomers include Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Hugh Gavin, Ben Murphy and Tommy O’Brien in the backs and forwards Stephen Smyth, Michael Milne, Paddy McCarthy, Darragh Murray, Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellan.

Smyth, a 20-year-old hooker, has made just four appearances for Leinster this season, all from the bench and totalling 65 minutes of competitive action.

OBrien, Gavin, Bolton, Doak, Murray and Kendellan started the Ireland A team's 28-12 loss to England in February while Smyth (who came on in the sixth minute) and McCarthy were on the bench.

There will be satisfaction in Ulster that Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale made the cut while Munster fans will be happy to see Tom Ahern and Gavin Coombes in the fold.

Leinster, who have 11 players down for Lions duty and for whom Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw are injured, provide a further dozen - although only Sam Prendergast, Jimmy and Tommy OBrien and Jamie Osborne (Jeft) could be considered ‘front-liners’.