O'Sullivan unveils squad for Six Nations

The Ireland squad for the 2008 RBS Six Nations championship sees a mixture of youth and experience for this season’s tournament in the extended 33-man squad named by Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan.

The uncapped Leinster duo of Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton have been named in their first Ireland senior squad having both progressed from Ireland schools, under-20 and senior provincial representation.

The squad also shows some further changes in the forwards with Munster prop Tony Buckley earning his first call up to a Six Nations squad. Leo Cullen also returns after missing out on selection for the Rugby World Cup, as does his Leinster teammates Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman.

The backrow continues to be one of the most competitive areas with Johnny O’Connor being included in a six Nations squad for the first time since 2006 and secondrow Mick O’Driscoll also comes into the 33--man squad.

In addition to the uncapped outhalf Jonathan Sexton as one of the 15 backs named in the squad; Robert Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe are all added to the back division for the tournament.

Commenting on the selection, Ireland Coach Eddie O’Sullivan said: “First and foremost I feel this squad reflects the form of the players in the Heineken Cup and Magners League and I am excited to introduce some young blood into the mix for the six nations.

"Some of the younger players have really put their hands up through their performances and have earned their spot in the squad. At the same time it again threw up some tight calls, especially in the backrow, which always seems to be the same every time we select a squad. However, I think we have the balance right going into the championship”.

Ireland Squad (33):

Forwards (18):

Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)

Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Simon Easterby (Llanelli)

Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)

John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)

Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)

Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster)

Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)

Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster)

Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Johnny O’Connor (Galwegians/Connacht)

Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Malcolm O’Kelly (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster)

David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)

Backs (15):

Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster)

Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)

Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)

Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster)

Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Eoin Reddan (Wasps)

Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)

Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Not considered due to injury:

Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins)

Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)

Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)