Ireland have added three new faces to their Six Nations squad.
Garry Ringrose is back in his first Ireland squad since the summer tours to the USA and Japan.
The Leinster centre, who has not played since injuring his ankle on Leinster duty at the start of the year, is one of three call-ups for training at Carton House ahead of the Wales game.
With Luke McGrath and Robbie Henshaw added to Ireland’s injury list, Joe Schmidt has supplemented the 21-man squad he had down in Athlone last weekend.
A statement from the IRFU reads:
‘Niall Scannell, who partook in the 48-hour training camp in Athlone, will again train with the squad following an elbow injury to Rob Herring in Ulster’s game against Edinburgh.
‘John Cooney will also train with Ireland this week following the knee injury sustained by Luke McGrath in Leinster’s game against Scarlets. Garry Ringrose comes in to train with the squad following the injury to Robbie Henshaw.
‘Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and James Ryan are progressing well through their respective rehab programmes.’
As predicted, Ulster scrumhalf John Cooney is included after his run of fine form this season.
Some lovely @UlsterRugby hands and @JCooney09 is through for the opening try against @EdinburghRugby
📺 Watch live on BBC Two (NI) and on the @BBCSPORTNI website.#ULSvEDI #GUINNESSPRO14 pic.twitter.com/P22Xefx9ar
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) February 16, 2018
Niall Scannell has showed well for Munster after his recent thumb and rib injuries and looks set to duke it out with Sean Cronin for a spot on the Ireland bench this weekend.
Sean O’Brien is nearing a return for Leinster but has not been called down to train with Ireland this week.
