Four Irish players - Noel Fox, Michael Hoey, Graeme McDowell and Tim Rice - have been named in a 26-member squad for Walker Cup training at The Belfry on April 24th and 25th. But it is accepted that there will be several absentees from the overall number, notably among those on scholarship in American universities.

The selectors are aiming for an attendance of 22 for what will be the only gathering before the selection of the side in July. A month later, on August 11th and 12th, Britain and Ireland will defend the trophy on the Ocean Forest course, Sea Island, George.

Four members of the side which gained an unexpected and memorable triumph at Nairn in 1999 are expected to form the nucleus of this year's line-up. They are Luke Donald, David Patrick, Philip Rowe and the veteran of the team, Gary Wolstenholme.

"Though it is a large squad, I will not be surprised if players outside it come into contention," said Peter McEvoy, who has remained on as non-playing captain. "There is a lot of good, young talent coming through and I am very hopeful about making a successful defence of the cup."

At this stage, McDowell is the leading candidate among the Irish challengers, given his brilliant form of last season. He will be among the absentees from The Belfry in that he is on scholarship in the US. In fact he will be competing in the Houston Open on April 19th to 22nd.

Meanwhile, the main events at which the R and A selectors - Rupert de Lacy Staunton is the Irish representative - will be present include the Irish Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship in which Fox will be defending the title at Royal Dublin on May 11th to 13th and the Irish Close at Co Sligo on June 16th to 20th. The last event before the announcement of the side will be the European Amateur Team Championship in Sweden on July 3rd to 7th.