Four Connacht players have been named in the Irish Squad for the forthcoming Six Nations that begins on the 7th of February. Ultan Dillane, Robbie Henshaw, Nathan White and Kieran Marmion have been named in Joe Schmidt’s squad of 35 who will shortly begin their preparations ahead of their opener against Wales at the Aviva.
Rory Best has been confirmed as the new Ireland captain.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has selected the Ulster hooker to take over the role following the departure of Paul O’Connell, with Jamie Heaslip to act as vice-captain.
Schmidt has also included three other uncapped players along with Dillane in his 35-man squad.
As expected, Munster captain CJ Stander has been handed a call-up along with Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey and forward Josh van der Flier.
Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Chris Henry have all been left-out of the panel as they continue their recovery from injury – although the trio are all likely to return later in the Championship.
Ireland Squad RBS 6 Nations 2016 Rounds 1 & 2
Forwards (19)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Vice Captain
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)*
Nathan White (Connacht)
Backs (16)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (McCloskey/Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)
*Denotes uncapped player