Squad news:Ulster centre Ian Whitten has claimed the final spot in the Ireland squad ahead of the summer tour to Canada and the United States. The touring party depart for Vancouver today.
Whitten is uncapped and currently part of the Ulster Rugby Academy. It brings the total number of uncapped players in the 25-man tour squad to 13.
The 21-year-old comes in for his fellow Ulsterman Paddy Wallace who will miss the summer tour on medical advice after sustaining several head injuries this season, particularly during the Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.
Whitten crowned his senior debut for Ulster with a try against Stade Francais in January's Heineken Cup pool clash in Paris.
Since then, he has made seven appearances in the Magners League - including a run-out against the Scarlets on Saturday - and forged a strong centre partnership with fellow Ireland hopeful Darren Cave.
Ireland squad:
Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (capt)
Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)*
Bob Casey (London Irish)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)*
Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)*
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Niall O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (London Wasps)
Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)*
Mike Ross (Harlequins)*
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
Ian Whitten (Ballymena/Ulster)*
Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)
Note: *Denotes uncapped player at full international level
Ireland Tour Schedule:
May 17th:Depart for Canada
May 23rd:Canada v Ireland (kick-off 10pm Irish time)
Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver
May 31st:USA v Ireland (kick-off 9pm Irish time
Buck Shaw Stadium, California
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