Declan Kidney has omitted Rob Kearney from his Ireland squad for the autumn internationals after it was confirmed the Leinster full-back will require a back operation.
The 26-year-old has played just 32 minutes of rugby this season due to a back injury which the reigning European Player of the Year picked up in his first comeback game against Connacht.
Meanwhile, the Ireland head coach has called up the uncapped quartet of Luke Marshall, Iain Henderson, David Kilcoyne and hooker Richardt Strauss for the 2012 Guinness Autumn Series against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina next month.
“We have three incredibly competitive games ahead of us in November and while there have been quite a few injuries and niggles in the early part of the season, it has opened up opportunities for other players to step into the squad,” said Kidney.
“There are world ranking points on offer, so the underlying challenge for us is to work towards retaining and improving our ranking position ahead of the Rugby World Cup pool draw.
“While that is the end goal, our focus will be getting our preparations right to match the intensity of international games.” 
Ireland squad for the 2012 Guinness Autumn Series: Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Tom Court, Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls, Stephen Ferris, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, David Kilcoyne, Luke Marshall John Muldoon, Conor Murray, Mike McCarthy, Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Peter O’Mahony, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, Richardt Strauss, Andrew Trimble, Dan Tuohy, Simon Zebo.
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