Ireland name Six Nations squad

Editor

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named a total of seven uncapped players in his 44-strong squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named a total of seven uncapped players in his 44-strong squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.

“As always a number of the selections were very tight,” said Schmidt.

“Following on from the November Tests, there is an experienced core of players in the squad who will offer continuity, as well as some new additions who have been selected with an eye to the future.

“With Robin Copeland returning to play in Ireland next season it will be an opportunity for him to impress during the training week, while some of the younger or less experienced players such as Rob Herring, Iain Henderson, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion and Felix Jones have turned in some very positive performances to earn spots in the squad.”

A number of players currently injured or returning from injury will remain with their provinces to gain further recovery time or game time.

They include Richardt Strauss, Donnacha Ryan, Roger Wilson, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Craig Gilroy. Some of these players may yet return for RBS 6 Nations test matches.

There is also the injured group of Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris, Mike Sherry and Stuart Olding who will be unavailable in the longer term.

Ireland's opening fixture of the Six Nations is against Scotland in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday 2nd February. Reigning champions Wales visit Dublin six days later and Ireland then travel to Twickenham to face England on the 22nd February.

Ireland's final home game of the Championship is against Italy on 8th of March before the team travels to Paris to take on Philippe Saint-Andre's French side on the 15th March.

Forwards: (24)

Rodney Ah You*, Stephen Archer, Rory Best, Robin Copeland*, Sean Cronin, Robbie Diack*, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Rob Herring*, David Kilcoyne, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore*, Jordi Murphy*, Paul O'Connell, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy, Damian Varley.

Backs: (20)

Isaac Boss, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, Felix Jones, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion*, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble.

*Denotes uncapped player