Schmidt confirms Dempsey, Jones & O' Gara for Summer tour

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt confirmed that Girvan Dempsey, Felix Jones and Ronan O'Gara would be incorporated into the coaching group for the summer tour of the USA and Japan this summer.

Dempsey, Jones and O'Gara will join up with the squad at different stages on the three week tour which takes in matches in America and Japan.

Speaking about the plans Schmidt said:

"I've had a lot of conversations with Ronan over the years really and especially with him being in France and my experiences over there. We've conversed often on what's happening over there and a little bit about what's happening here.  

He's indicated that he be keen to get into the environment and just have a bit of a look. So we are going to put him to work and he is going to do some skills coach work for us.

As is Girvan Dempsey who is I think growing in confidence all the time in his role in Leinster and the same with Felix Jones who I think has made a really positive impression under Rassie Erasmus in Munster.

I have obviously worked with Girv before and I have worked with Felix in a coach/player relationship and he was superb to coach as a player and I have known Ronan for a long time so I think they will add a bit of a spark to the coaching group. ''