Rising star Ryan Baird joins up with Ireland squad

Leinster’s talented back five forward Ryan Baird has joined up with the Ireland squad following his impressive performance in the PRO14 on Friday.

The lock, who can also play in the back-row, scored a hat-trick as the Dubliners thrashed last season’s runners-up Glasgow Warriors 55-19 at the RDS Arena.

He is named in a 35-man group which also includes Dave Heffernan and Ultan Dillane, who will join the national team later on Monday after playing for Connacht in South Africa at the weekend.

Head coach Andy Farrell has decided not to name a replacement loosehead for the injured Cian Healy, while full-back Will Addison misses out because of a calf injury.

Ireland’s 35-man squad

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Max Deegan, Ultan Dillane, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Jack McGrath, Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Bundee Aki, Billy Burns, Ross Byrne, Andrew Conway, John Cooney, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Stuart McCloskey, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale