Six Nations: Howe omitted from Ireland squad

Tyrone Howe, a late call-up for the British Lions in Australia, is the surprise omission from the Ireland squad for the re-arranged Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship match against Scotland at Murrayfield on September 22.

The 30-year-old Dungannon winger was in the Ireland team that beat France in their last Six Nations game in February and played for the Lions in their 30-28 victory over ACT Brumbies in July.

But he has lost his place to Leicester’s versatile back Geordan Murphy, who is poised to make his Six Nations debut.

Flankers Simon Easterby (Llanelli) and Keiron Dawson (London Irish), who both missed most of last season through injury, are back and so is Lions lock Jeremy Davidson (Dungannon). Easterby is reunited with brother Guy, the Llanelli scrum-half.

Omitted are Munster duo Alan Quinlan and Mick Galwey, who both played against France, and centre Rob Henderson, who has yet to play since being injured on the Lions tour.

The final XV will be announced next Tuesday.

Although the final team selections are being made, doubt hangs over whether the remaining Six Nations matches will be played after fears were renewed about the spread of foot-and-mouth.