Ireland squad: Fears over Caelan Doris’ fitness remain as Munster duo and Leinster rookie provide cover

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has called in six players to his squad as they continue their preparations for the Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff.

Saturday’s match against Matt Sherratt’s outfit will see Ireland look to make it three straight maximum hauls to begin the campaign, which would put them on 15 points.

Easterby has added several players to his squad ahead of the Principality Stadium meeting as injuries to two forwards and concerns over two more lead to new additions.

Six players added

Munster back-rowers Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett, Leinster’s Diarmuid Mangan and Ulster trio Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney are named.

The additions of players to the squad come as Iain Henderson (hamstring) and Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle) are unavailable for the upcoming Wales game due to injury. The Ulster forwards will remain with their province to recover and commence their rehabilitation programmes, it has been confirmed by the reigning Six Nations champions.

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In other news released from the Ireland camp, the workloads of number eight Caelan Doris (knee) and hooker Rónan Kelleher (neck) are being managed over the week.

“Tadhg Furlong is continuing to make progress and both Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy are back training with the squad,” an Irish Rugby statement explained on Sunday.

There was also an update that injured scrum-half Craig Casey (knee) will link up with the Ireland camp this week as he bids to return to the field in the coming months.

The Ireland team to face Wales will be named on Thursday morning.

Ireland squad

Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Garry Ringrose

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Rob Herring, John Hodnett, Rónan Kelleher, Diarmuid Mangan, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier

READ MORE: Garry Ringrose addresses Simon Easterby’s Wales links as exit rumours continue to swirl