O'Connor gets the call from Ireland

RUGBY/International news: "So, Jonny O'Connor, tell us, which is it to be - the white of England or Ireland's emerald green?" asked the the Observer newspaper of the former Connacht and current Wasps openside flanker. It looks as though whatever interest England may have had, O'Connor has not been operating underneath the radar of Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

An Irish cap in one of the three autumn internationals would knock the thrust of the Observer's question on the head - if Connor has not already done so.

"I'd be lynched, wouldn't I," was the 24-year-old's candid reply two weeks ago. Clear enough that. But the chorus of approval has been long and hard for O'Connor's inclusion in an Irish squad, with Wasps coach Warren Gatland and Lawrence Dallaglio but two cheerleaders.

Now O'Sullivan has made a move towards ending the megaphone diplomacy, and O'Connor, along with Munster back row Denis Leamy and Ulster winger Tommy Bowe, represent a clutch of fresh faces in the 30-man squad announced yesterday for Ireland's Tests against South Africa, the US and Argentina.

Given his form this season, O'Connor actually looks to be the favourite to occupy the number seven jersey against South Africa on November 13th. In the absence of the former Lion and Irish back row David Wallace, who Leamy is keeping out of the Munster side, the Wasps man and Leamy are the only natural openside flankers named in O'Sullivan's squad.

There are, however, two AN Others in the forwards and one in the backs as the Irish selectors search for three more bodies. This weekend's series of European Cup matches will provide a battleground of sorts for those who find themselves on the wrong side of the fringe. The three additional players will be named on Sunday.

For the Galway player, selection in O'Sullivan's starting side would represent a stunning comeback from injury. O'Connor is the first to admit that his early, fitful form had not been what he'd expected this season, but in recent weeks the relentless, all-consuming game of tackling and pilfering ball has returned. And all since recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon, sustained in February against Rotherham.

Bowe, from Monaghan, earns his first Irish call-up after impressing for Ulster this season, having made his provincial debut last year. But over the last couple of months he has peppered the run with some stand-out displays.

Leamy, like O'Connor a former Ireland under-21 flanker, has progressed far enough to hold Wallace at bay in Munster and is a fire-in-the-belly type player with a knack for winning ball on the ground. Last weekend, Munster coach Alan Gaffney paid him the compliment of playing him at one side of Anthony Foley in the back row with the warhorse, Jim Williams, on the other. Wallace and Alan Quinlan were consigned to the bench.

There are few who will deny three players of genuine ability being given their chance to prosper in the rich environment. But there is also disappointment. No room in the squad yet for old heads, Leinster number eight Victor Costello, or Munster inside centre Rob Henderson, while a few talented younger players such as Leinster's Shane Jennings and Ulster's Roger Wilson, for the moment, also remain out in the cold.

The injured Kieron Dawson of London Irish, Leinster's Keith Gleeson and Ulster's Neil McMillan were not considered.

The squad will assemble in Dublin next Monday to prepare for the first match against South Africa.

FORWARDS: S Best (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), S Byrne (Blackrock College, Leinster), R Corrigan (Greystones, Leinster), L Cullen (Blackrock College, Leinster), S Easterby (LIanelli), A Foley (Shannon, Munster), J Hayes (Shannon, Munster), M Horan (Shannon, Munster), D Leamy (Cork Constitution, Munster), *D O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution, Munster), P O'Connell (Young Munster, Munster), J O'Connor (Wasps), M O'Kelly (St Mary's College, Leinster), F Sheahan (Cork Constitution, Munster), AN Other, AN Other.

BACKS: T Bowe (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), G D'Arcy (Lansdowne, Leinster), G Dempsey (Terenure College, Leinster), G Easterby (Blackrock College, Leinster), D Hickie (St Mary's College, Leinster), A Horgan (Cork Constitution, Munster), S Horgan (Lansdowne, Leinster), D Humphreys (Dungannon, Ulster), K Maggs (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O'Driscoll (Blackrock College, Leinster), R O'Gara (Cork Constitution, Munster), P Stringer (Shannon, Munster), AN Other.

Not considered due to injury: K Dawson (London Irish), K Gleeson (St Mary's College, Leinster), N McMillan (Ballymena, Ulster).

* Subject to fitness test. AN Others to be named on Sunday.