No surprises expected as Simon Easterby set to name first Ireland squad

Andy Farrell is sitting out the Guinness Six Nations in his temporary role at the helm of the 2025 British & Irish Lions.

FIRST SQUAD: Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby and head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Simon Easterby will name his first squad as Ireland’s interim head coach on Wednesday with Andy Farrell sitting out the Guinness Six Nations in his temporary role at the helm of the 2025 British & Irish Lions but selection surprises are not expected.

There was positive fitness news ahead of this week’s final round of European pool games and before a week-long national squad training camp in Portugal with Leinster duo, hooker Dan Sheehan and left wing James Lowe, in contention for the Aviva Stadium clash against Bath this Saturday after stepping up their respective rehabilitation programmes while tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, No.8 Jack Conan and fly-half/full-back Ciarán Frawley all came through their comeback games in the full-blooded pool win at La Rochelle last Sunday following returns from injury.