Schmidt gives the nod to Munster-bound Copeland
National head coach Schmidt yesterday named a 44-player group for next month’s Six Nations and the A international between the Irish Wolfhounds and England Saxons at Gloucester on January 25, with Cardiff Blues back rower Copeland, 26, one of seven uncapped players.
It was difficult to spring a surprise in such a largely populated squad but Schmidt has shaken things up to a degree, largely with the Woflhoundsfixture in mind, by naming Copeland, Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion and prop Rodney Ah You, the New Zealand-born tighthead who qualified for Ireland through residency last October, Ulster’s hooker Rob Herring and anotherrecently Irish-qualified player in back-rowRobbie Diack. They are all uncapped, as areLeinster tighthead Martin Moore and flanker Jordi Murphy, while the door remains open for injured or recently returned players like Donnacha Ryan.Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy to earn their places during the Six Nations campaign, which Ireland begin at home to Scotland on February 2.