Star duo in for Ireland

Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell have been named in Ireland’s squad for the 2006 RBS 6 Nations after making encouraging progress on their return from injury.

Skipper O’Driscoll missed the autumn internationals after undergoing surgery on the shoulder damaged during the first Test of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

O’Connell also sat out the November series after sustaining a hand injury while on Celtic League duty for Munster against Llanelli in September.

The Lions duo have both made their comebacks in recent weeks, scoring a brace of tries for their respective provinces in the weekend’s round of Heineken Cup matches.

Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), G Dempsey (Leinster), G Easterby (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster), J Kelly (Munster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), R O’Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), J Staunton (Wasps), P Stringer (Munster), A Trimble (Ulster).

Forwards: N Best (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), R Best (Ulster), S Byrne (Saracens), R Corrigan (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), A Foley (Munster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), S Jennings (Leicester), D Leamy (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), J O’Connor (Wasps), M O’Driscoll (Munster), M O’Kelly (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster).