Ireland cut Six Nations squad for Italy and France

Current Six Nations champions Ireland have reduced their training squad to 38 players for the opening two matches against Italy and France.

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland team begin their Six Nations title defence against Italy in Rome on Saturday before they return home to Ireland to host France in Dublin.

Ireland won the Six Nations in 2014 on points difference having won the same number of matches as England.

“Jack Conan and Michael Bent did well (on Friday night for the Wolfhounds) against the Saxons but will return to Leinster, as will Noel Reid who was restricted to a brief cameo as he was covering a number of positions,” said Schmidt.

“Rob Herring returns to Ulster and will look forward to having an opportunity for further game-time.

“Fergus McFadden has a rib cartilage injury, while Craig Gilroy will follow the return to play protocols after a concussion in the Wolfhounds game.”

Dave Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald are expected to be fully fit to train in preparation for Italy, while Eoin Reddan and Jamie Heaslip are progressing well and are likely to be available to train fully on Tuesday.

Star fly-half Jonathan Sexton was included in the squad despite being expected to miss the game against Italy after being ordered to rest following two concussions in November’s 26-23 win over Australia.

Squad

Forwards

Rory Best (Ulster), James Cronin (Munster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Robbie Diack (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Dominic Ryan (Leinster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs

Isaac Boss (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro/FRA), Simon Zebo (Munster)