Irish senior men's caretaker coach David Scott has made several changes to his squad for a three-match series against Belgium in Brussels from July 15 to 18.
A host of under-21 players that featured in the recent Celtic Cup defeat in Dublin are unavailable as they continue to concentrate on preparations for their European Under-21 Championships, which take place from July 25 to 31.
Scott, however, does have the luxury of calling back in five senior internationals who missed the Celtic Cup due to injuries and other commitments - Nigel Henderson, Gordon Elliott, Justin Sheriff, Jason Black and Mark Black. The latter returns to the squad for the first time since a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of the entire 2003 international season.
Three Belgium-based players who play for Royal Dragons - Stephen Butler, Graham Shaw and Joe Brennan - are named in the 19-man squad and Ireland will be hoping that their specialist knowledge will stand them in good stead.
Ex-Dragon Justin Sheriff also returns to the international fold and with one more appearance in a green shirt he will collect his 50th cap for Ireland, amassing an impressive 33 goals so far and being one of the leading marksmen in the recent European Championships.
Belgium are currently ranked 14th in the world and finished sixth in Europe last year. They also narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens.
IRELAND SQUAD TO TRAVEL TO BELGIUM:
Wesley Bateman (Cork Harlequins), Mark Black (Cork C of I), Jason Black (Cork Harlequins), Paddy Brown (Instonians), Stephen Butler (Royal Dragons), Dave Eakins (Cork Harlequins), Gordon Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), Nigel Henderson (Pembroke Wanderers), Charlie Henderson (Corinthians), Mark Irwin (Instonians), Graham Shaw (Royal Dragons), Justin Sherriff (Pembroke Wanderers), Brian Waring (Lisnagarvey), Joe Brennan (Royal Dragons), Sean Nicholson (Cork Harlequins), Andy Barbour (Cookstown), Jonathan Quigley (Annadale), David Robb (Annadale), Philip Smith (Cork C of I).
Not considered due to injury: Nigel Buttimer (Cork C of I).
Not considered due to under-21 commitments: Timothy Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Ronan Gormley (Club de Campo, Spain), Mark Gleghorne (Instonians), Iain Lewers (Annadale).
Filed by James Boylan
