Six Nations Squad Named

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Irish Voice Sport

Six Nations Squad Named

January 16, 2008

by Cathal Dervan

MUNSTER’S Mick O’Driscoll and Leinster’s Leo Cullen will fight it out for the right to replace the injured Paul O’Connell in Ireland’s Six Nations squad after coach Eddie O’Sullivan announced his training squad on Tuesday.

O’Sullivan has responded to Ireland’s World Cup disaster by bringing in eight new faces to the squad, with Leinster’s Jonathon Sexton and Cian Healy and Munster’s Tony Buckley all in for the first time while Johnny O’Connor is also recalled.

“First and foremost I feel this squad reflects the form of the players in the Heineken Cup and Magners League and I am excited to introduce some young blood into the mix for the Six Nations,” O’Sullivan said.

“It is the tournament that we always want to do well in and this year’s championship is really open with no clear favorites, so it really is a case of only looking forward to your next game, which starts with an Italy side who always begin the tournament well.”

Leinster pair Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman are back after missing the World Cup, while Isaac Boss has been dropped along with Brian Young, Brian Carney and Frankie Sheahan.

O’Connell, Simon Best and Stephen Ferris have not been considered due to injury while Denis Hickie has retired.

The Ireland squad is — forwards: N. Best, R. Best, T. Buckley, L. Cullen, S. Easterby, J. Flannery, J. Hayes, C. Healy, .J Heaslip, M. Horan, B. Jackman, D. Leamy, D. O’Callaghan, J. O’Connor, M. O’Driscoll, M. O’Kelly, A. Quinlan, D. Wallace.

Backs: T. Bowe, G. Dempsey, G. D’Arcy, G. Duffy, L. Fitzgerald, S. Horgan, R. Kearney, G. Murphy, B. O’Driscoll, R. O’Gara, E Reddan, J. Sexton, P. Stringer, A. Trimble, P. Wallace.

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