17 Leinster players named in Ireland's Six Nations training squad
Joe Schmidt has chosen the 35 players who will take part in training camps ahead of the upcoming Six Nations opener at home to Wales, and he has named no less than 17 Leinster players among the group.
While he has opted to include some youth in the form of Tadgh Furlong and Josh Van Der Flier, the Kiwi native has resisted the temptation to bring 21-year-old prodigy Gary Ringrose into the set-up.
Patrician Secondary School graduate Jamie Heaslip is in the squad, but misses out on the captaincy after the Irish coach opted to go with Ulster hooker Rory Best as his captain.
There are plenty of players in line for their first taste of Six Nations action in February, with CJ Stander, Ultan Dillane, Stuart Mc Closkey and James Cronin all in contention to play some part for Ireland as they look to make it three Six Nations titles in a row.
This squad will be used for the first two rounds of the Six Nations as Ireland play host to Wales on February 7 before playing France away six days later.
Ireland 35-man training squad
Hookers: Rory Best (captain), Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Rob Herring
Props: Tadhg Furlong, Marty Moore, Nathan White, Jack McGrath, James Cronin
Locks: Devin Toner, Donnacha Ryan, Mike McCarthy, Ultan Dillane
Back rows: Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander
Halfbacks: Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion, Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan
Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Luke Marshall, Jared Payne
Back threes: Keith Earls, Dave Kearney, Simon Zebo, Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Luke Fitzgerald