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Australia name strong squad for international rules Test

Australia and Ireland will meet in a one-off Test in Perth next month
Australia and Ireland will meet in a one-off Test in Perth next month

Australia have named a 24-man squad for next month’s International Rules Test against Ireland in Perth.

The Australians have stuck to their pledge to field a strong line-up following the one-sided two-Test series in Ireland last October, which Ireland won by a record 173-72 aggregate score.

Australian coach Alastair Clarkson has assembled a squad made up entirely of players who have received All Australian honours - the equivalent of Gaelic games' All Stars awards.

Nine of the squad were All Australians this year, including AA captain Joel Selwood.

Former Kerry, Ireland and Sydney Swans star Tadhg Kennelly is one of Clarkson’s assistants for the Test and was also involved in the squad selection process.

Speaking to AFL.com.au, assistant Ross Lyon described the squad as "unbelievably talented".

"The selection criteria, the capacity that we looked for was great running power and an ability to adapt quickly to the round ball. There's numerous players who have played in the series before."

A 40-man extended Ireland panel, coached by Paul Earley, will train in Dublin this weekend, having gathered in Mayo last weekend.

Ireland will be missing Carlton trio Zach Tuohey, Ciaran Sheehan and Ciaran Byrne after they chose to focus on preparing for another pre-season with the Blues.

Ireland play Australia in the one-off game at Patersons Stadium in Perth on Saturday 22 November.

Australia international rules squad: Grant Birchall, Travis Boak, Luke Breust, Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Fletcher, Nat Fyfe, Brendon Goddard, Robbie Gray, Brent Harvey, Luke Hodge, Kieren Jack, Steve Johnson, Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Mitchell, Leigh Montagna, Nic Naitanui, Nick Riewoldt, Tom Rockliff, Joel Selwood, Brodie Smith, Nick Smith, Harry Taylor, Jobe Watson, Chad Wingard.

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