Ulster players Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named in the Ireland squad for this year’s Six Nations.
There is no place for the suspended Tom O’Toole, who will miss the first two games through suspension. Uncapped Leinster man Jack Boyle has replaced O’Toole in the panel.
Ulster backs Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale miss out altogether after their recent injuries, while there is no place for Nathan Doak.
Back row prospect James McNabney is named in the panel as one of four development players.
Simon Easterby has included hooker Dan Sheehan following the veteran’s remarkable recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Sheehan is one of eight Leinster front-rows in the squad, with Thomas Clarkson beating Oli Jager to the third tighthead slot and Jack Boyle getting a first senior call up after spending November with the squad. Ulster’s Rob Herring and Connacht’s Finlay Bealham bring the total to 10.
Boyle is the only uncapped player on the panel, with Easterby opting to stick with Ryan Baird, Cian Prendergast and Izuchukwu ahead of Munster’s Thomas Ahern while Connacht’s Caolin Blade gets the nod ahead of Ben Murphy and Doak.
Tadhg Furlong made his return to action last weekend, while Baird, Sheehan, Jimmy O’Brien and Jack Conan will strengthen the squad which has lost Craig Casey since the November internationals.
Easterby, who is standing in for Andy Farrell who is on Lions duty, echoed his boss’s comments from November as he challenged the squad to hit the ground running as they defend their title.
“One of the highlights from the recent Autumn Nations Series was the emergence of a number of new internationals in Thomas Clarkson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Gus McCarthy and Sam Prendergast. We are also delighted to welcome back a number of players who were unavailable for the recent Autumn Nations Series and their return will further boost competition levels across the panel,” he said in an IRFU statement.
“While there is a good sense of continuity in selection, having those players back massively increases our competitiveness. It’s also a great opportunity for three young Development Players – James, Ben and Cathal – to continue their recent good run of form for their Provinces and continue their development.
“The thing about the Six Nations is that you have to hit the ground running and there’s no room for building or easing your way into competition. Every match counts and facing England at home in the first round sharpens everyone’s mind to what will be a big task ahead.”
Ireland open their campaign against England in Dublin on February 1, before taking on Scotland and Wales away. Then, they welcome France to Lansdowne Road before signing off in Rome on St Patrick’s weekend.
Ireland Men’s Squad – Guinness Men’s Six Nations
Ireland squad for the Six Nations
Front-row: Jack Boyle, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Thomas Clarkson, Finlay Bealham;
Second-row: Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy;
Back-row: Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu, Peter O’Mahony, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier;
Half-backs: Caolin Blade, Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Sam Prendergast;
Midfield: Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne;
Back three: Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, James Lowe, Jimmy O’Brien;
Development players: Hugh Cooney, Cathal Forde, James McNabney, Ben Murphy
Ireland Fixtures
Saturday, 1 February: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium, 4.45pm
Sunday, 9 February: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield Stadium, 3pm
Saturday, 22 February: Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium, 2.15pm
Saturday, 8 March: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium, 2.15pm
Saturday, 15 March: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico, 2.15pm.