Interim head coach Simon Easterby has decided against taking the chance to put his own stamp on the Ireland squad with just one uncapped player in the 36.
Easterby, who is in charge during the Six Nations while Andy Farrell focuses on British and Irish Lions matters, has stuck with the tried and tested.
Leinster loosehead Jack Boyle is the only uncapped player in the squad for the Six Nations as Ireland look to defend the title they won in both 2023 and 2024.
Injury returnees
Easterby has been boosted by Dan Sheehan’s remarkable return, who sustained an ACL injury in the 27-20 defeat to the Springboks in last year’s July series, while James Lowe has also been included.
Lowe played in three of their four Autumn Nations Series matches but the wing has not featured since their 22-19 victory over the Wallabies on November 30.
Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who missed the 2024 end-of-year matches, is also back in the squad having made a successful return to action in the Champions Cup success over La Rochelle.
“The Guinness Six Nations is one of the most keenly-contested competitions in the global calendar and there’s great excitement across the playing group and coaching team for this year’s tournament,” Easterby said.
“Personally I’m hugely excited to work with a talented group and speaking to the players you can sense that they are up for the challenge.
“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.”
Despite the lack of newbies in the main squad, they have included four individuals as ‘development players’.
Hugh Cooney, Cathal Forde, James McNabney and Ben Murphy are among that group, but it would be a surprise to see them get any game time during the competition.
“While there is a good sense of continuity in selection, having those players back massively increases our competitiveness,” Easterby added.
“It’s also a great opportunity for young Development Players – James, Ben, Hugh 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.”
Caelan Doris will once again captain the squad and will lead them in their Six Nations opener against England on February 1.
Ireland’s squad for the 2025 Six Nations
Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier
Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose
Development players: Hugh Cooney, Cathal Forde, James McNabney, Ben Murphy
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ireland-boosted-by-dan-sheehans-miracle-recovery-as-interim-boss-plays-it-safe-for-six-nations
