The Tigers trio have all represented their country at this level before, although injury ruled Humphreys out of last season’s tournament.
Frank and Ian have agreed to join Irish provinces Connacht and Ulster respectively next season but Johne has recently committed his future to Tigers by signing a new deal with the club. The 23-year-old has been in fine form for Tigers this season, making 28 appearances including 23 starts. Johne, who starts Saturday’s clash with Harlequins and currently has seven tries to his name in 2007/08, last wore national colours in the clash with England Saxons at Welford Road on February 1.
The team will be coached by the IRFU High Performance Manager Allen Clarke and he has selected a young squad that also includes eight capped players. The squad will be managed by John McKibbin and they will play three games during the tournament, kicking off against the USA on June 11.
Frank, Ian and Johne join fellow Tiger Dave Young in being selected for the tournament, with Young having been named in the Scotland touring party earlier in the week.
“This tournament continues to be an important competitive environment to expose younger talent as well as those players in the broader international squad,” says Clarke. “ The combination of this international experience with the youth in the squad promises to create competitiveness when it comes to selection.
“The last time the tournament was here in 2006, we had some good results where we left with the plate after a really tight contest with England Saxons, so hopefully we can continue in that vein.
“This year, playing a national side like the USA will be a test for the squad and the next game, which is only three days later against a Saxons squad with plenty of quality in it, will be a challenging experience for the players.”
Ireland A schedule
Wednesday, June 11 USA v Ireland A at Richardson Stadium, Kingston
Saturday, June 14 Ireland A v England Saxons at Fletchers Fields, Toronto
Saturday, June 21 Barclays Churchill Cup Finals Day at Toyota Park, Chicago
Ireland A Squad
Forwards (15)
*Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
*Robert Casey (London Irish)
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
Sean Cronin (Shannon/Munster)
*Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution/Connacht)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
*Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)
Daragh Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
*Johnny O’Connor (Corinthians/Connacht)
David Pollock (Queens University/Ulster)
Michael Ross (Harlequins)
Donncha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
*Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Backs (13)
Gary Brown (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Keith Earls (Garryowen/Munster)
Ian Humphreys (Leicester Tigers)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
*Kieran Lewis (Garryowen/Munster)
Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Mark McCrea (Malone/Ulster)
Frank Murphy (Leicester Tigers)
Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers)
Fergus McFadden (UCD/Leinster)
*Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
Johnny Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Not considered
Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
N.B. *Capped at full international level
Tour Management
Allen Clarke – Coach
Assistant Coach - TBC
John McKibbin - Team Manager
George Murray – Video Analysis
Ray Egan - Fitness Advisor
Dr. Eanna Falvey - Doctor
James Allen - Physiotherapist
Johnny O'Hagan - Baggage Master
All information for the tournament can be found on the tournament website at www.barclayschurchillcuprugby
