Simon Easterby unveils tried, tested, and battle-hardened Ireland squad for Six Nations

“One of the highlights from the recent Autumn Nations Series was the emergence of a number of new internationals in Thomas Clarkson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Gus McCarthy and Sam Prendergast,” the interim boss said.

PLANE SAILING: Simon Easterby has left no margin for error in his bid to continue Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations dominance into a third successive year after unveiling a tried and tested, battle-hardened squad for the start of next month’s championship.

Simon Easterby has left no margin for error in his bid to continue Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations dominance into a third successive year after unveiling a tried and tested, battle-hardened squad for the start of next month’s championship.

A 36-player panel that features 17 players who will be 30 or over when the championship kicks off against England on February 1, 10 with more than 50 caps, including three Test centurions, and four more who could reach the half-century milestone in the next five games is perhaps more telling than the increasing reliance on players from Leinster.