The Ireland coaching group have named a 40-man squad for the 2017 Six Nations
The squad includes three uncapped players from Munster – brothers Niall and Rory Scannell, plus Andrew Conway
Jonathan Sexton has also been named in the squad despite limping off injured on Friday
The Ireland Coaching Group have named a 40 man squad for the opening two rounds of the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Ireland travel to both Edinburgh and Rome over the course of the first two rounds of this year's Championship facing the Scots in Murrayfield on Saturday 4th February before flying to Rome to take on Conor O'Shea's Italian side on Saturday 11th February.
READ MORE
RUCK’s Team of the Week: Gray, Nadolo, Russell, Stander
Rugby Rumours: Arscott staying at the AJ Bell? Mermoz to Newcastle, Strauss to Exeter
WATCH: Champions Cup highlights, Round 6
All Black legends to step in and save London Welsh
Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt commented, "It has been good to watch the players over the past two months and great to see many of them doing so well.
"As always there were some difficult decisions but we feel that the group is a good mix with a number of key players having good experience and a number of newer players having gained valuable experience and confidence during the summer tour to South Africa and the recent autumn series.”
Fly-half Johnny Sexton has also been named in the group for the opening two fixtures away to Scotland on 4 February and against Italy in Rome on 11 February.
The Leinster fly-half came off with a calf injury during the Champions Cup draw with Castres on Friday.
The 31-year-old will undergo a scan on the problem but is expected to be fit
Details of Ireland open training sessions during the 6 Nations will be announced in due course.
