Surprise omission Luke Fitzgerald facing uphill battle to make Ireland squad for Six Nations The Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, named a squad of 24 on Wednesday for next week's training camp at Limerick University and Fitzgerald was the only surprise exclusion. Those named will be joined for the week by six youngsters identified as players for the future - Ian Nagle, Peter O'Mahony, Tiernan O'Halloran, Paddy McAllister, Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo. Ftizgerald, a British and Irish Lion in 2009, was also omitted from Kidney's World Cup squad but has impressed recently although he missed Leinster's Heineken Cup win at Glasgow last week with a glute strain and minor neck problem. Normally a wing and sometimes a full-back, he might also be considered as a back-up centre in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll, who will miss the entire tournament following shoulder surgery to free a trapped nerve. Ulster's centre Darren Cave, who has impressed this season, was ruled out of contention on Wednesday because of a foot injury that is expected to keep him out for six weeks so, for the time being, Kidney has name Gordon D'Arcy, Paddy Wallace and Fergus McFadden as his specialist centres. "The Wolfhounds game gives myself and the other coaches one final chance to give games to players to see possible options before we settle on our match-day 22 for the opening game," says Kidney. It also gives us the opportunity to have a closer look in training at some of the younger players, rather than bringing in more experienced players, who are very much still in the frame. Apart from the injured O'Driscoll and Denis Leamy, all 22 of the Ireland match-day squad who lost 22-10 to Wales in the World Cup quarter-final are retained with the form of Ireland's provinces in Europe providing evidence that most of his big-name players are performing well. Paul O'Connell had already been pre-selected as captain while O'Driscoll is absent and there should be fierce competition for the second berth alongside him at lock. Young Munster colleague Donnacha Ryan is pressing hard. Donnacha O'Callaghan is also included and Leo Cullen has again been excellent although a reported achilles niggle could be a worry.