Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named a 37-man training squad for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations that includes two uncapped players and is captained by fly-half Johnny Sexton.
Ulster full-back Michael Lowry and Connacht winger Mack Hansen could make their international debuts during the Championship with fellow back three star James Lowe of Leinster ruled out for a number of weeks with a muscle injury.
Both players have been included in the extended squad having spent time training with Farrell’s side previously, Hansen was involved with the team during the Autumn Nations Series and Lowry was part of the environment during the summer.
Ireland kick off their campaign at home to defending champions Wales and will also welcome Italy and Scotland to the Aviva Stadium.
Farrell’s side, who finished third in last year’s Championship, also face tricky trips to Paris and London to face France and England.
If he makes four appearances in this year’s Championship Keith Earls could win his 100th cap, joining his skipper Sexton who became a centurion in the 60-5 win over Japan in the Autumn Nations Series, while prop Dave Kilcoyne can bring up his half-century if he features in every game.
After naming his squad, which also includes Connacht’s Cian Prendergast as a development player, Farrell said: “In November we challenged the group to get up to speed quickly so that the team could perform at international level.
“The same will apply for this Six Nations campaign, we need to be at our best against Wales on the opening weekend.
“We have a strong squad with competition for places across the board, there is a nice blend of experienced internationals and guys who have had their first taste of this level in the past 12 months.
“The games in November gave us a good foundation to build on and areas where we know we will have to improve.
“It will be an exciting Championship with so many strong squads and impressive performances across the board during the autumn.”
Ireland’s 2022 Guinness Six Nations squad
Backs (17)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 2 caps
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 10 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 4 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 96 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 53 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
Michael Lowry (Ulster/Banbridge) uncapped
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 101 caps CAPTAIN
Forwards (20)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 12 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 65 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 23 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 2 caps
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 2 caps
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena) 3 caps
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
Development Player
Cian Prendergast (Connacht)
