Thursday 22 January 2015 19:06, UK
Ireland’s Six Nations title hopes received a boost after Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy were deemed fit enough to feature in an extended 46-man training squad for the tournament.
The Leinster duo have battled long-term injuries with flanker O’Brien undergoing shoulder surgery and prop Healy recovering from a hamstring torn off the bone.
The inclusion of O’Brien and Healy increases their chances of turning out for the Irish Wolfhounds' clash with England Saxons on Friday, January 30.
Head coach Joe Schmidt admitted he was keen to give the influential forward pair some competitive game action prior to the tournament.
"The coaching group have tried to strike a balance between some players getting the chance to fully complete their rehabilitation programmes, or get a bit of rest, and others getting the opportunity to push their claims with further game time in the Wolfhounds fixture," said Schmidt.
Fit-again Connacht prop Nathan White and Leinster back-rower Jack Conan are the only uncapped members of Schmidt's squad.
Injury doubts remain over Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw, but all three have been included in the extended squad.
Racing Metro fly-half Sexton could miss the first two rounds of fixtures while he completes a 12-week lay-off after suffering four concussions in 12 months.
Munster scrum-half Murray is carrying a disc problem in his neck but the severity of the issue remains unclear, while Henshaw is battling a low-grade ankle ligament problem.
Ireland open the defence of their Six Nations title by taking on Italy in Rome on Saturday, February 7, with a host of regular stars missing through injury.
Chris Henry, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Dan Tuohy and Damien Varley have been excluded from the squad entirely and effectively ruled out of the tournament.
Robin Copeland, Dave Kilcoyne, Luke Marshall, Donncha Ryan and Andrew Trimble have been told to stay with their provinces, but Ireland have reserved the right to bring them back into the squad if and when required.
Ireland Six Nations training squad:
Forwards: M Bent (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), J Conan, S Cronin (both Leinster), J Cronin (Munster), R Diack (Ulster), D Foley (Munster), C Healy, J Heaslip (both Leinster), I Henderson, R Herring (both Ulster), M McCarthy, J McGrath, M Moore, J Murphy, S O'Brien (all Leinster), P O'Connell, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony (all Munster), M Ross, R Ruddock, D Ryan, R Strauss, D Toner (all Leinster), N White (Connacht).
Backs: I Boss (Leinster), T Bowe, D Cave (both Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), C Gilroy (Ulster), R Henshaw (Connacht), F Jones (Munster), D Kearney, R Kearney (both Leinster), I Keatley (Munster), I Madigan (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), F McFadden (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Payne (Ulster), E Reddan, N Reid (both Leinster), J Sexton (Racing Metro), S Zebo (Munster).
