Uncapped Jack Boyle has been included in Ireland’s Six Nations squad, replacing the suspended Tom O’Toole.
Leinster prop Boyle, 22, has been promoted to the squad by interim head coach Simon Easterby having been a development player in Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series squad in November.
Ulster’s O’Toole received a six-game ban following his red card against Munster which would have ruled him out of Ireland’s first two matches.
Wing James Lowe and hooker Dan Sheehan are both included and will link up with the squad on 26 January “subject to their successful return from injury” with Leinster, the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] has said.
Lowe has not played since November while Sheehan has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since last summer.
Easterby is stepping in to lead Ireland’s bid for a third successive title with Andy Farrell having temporarily stepped aside to focus on the British and Irish Lions.
While not part of the main squad, Leinster centre Hugh Cooney, Ulster back row James McNabney and Connacht duo Ben Murphy and Cathal Forde are included as development players and will travel to Portugal for the team’s pre-tournament training camp.
Ireland begin their campaign at home to England on 1 February.
Forwards (21): Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster) Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Backs (15): Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Development players: Hugh Cooney (Leinster), Cathal Forde (Connacht), James McNabney (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht)
Easterby has opted against radical changes for his first squad. Leinster back row Caelan Doris continue as captain, having taken over from Peter O’Mahony for the autumn Tests, while experienced prop Tadhg Furlong returns after missing the November games because of injury.
There is also a return for versatile back Jimmy O’Brien, who has not played for Ireland since the 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand because of injury troubles.
With Munster scrum-half Craig Casey having been ruled out with a serious knee injury, Connacht’s Caolin Blade is included alongside Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray.
Having avoided a lengthier ban for criticising match officials in a United Rugby Championship game, Connacht wing Mack Hansen is included.
However, there is no place for Munster forward Tom Ahern despite a series of impressive performances for his province this season.
