The final chance to prove to Joe Schmidt you are in form and screaming for a Test spot.
Ulster and, in particular, Leinster have named a host of Irish internationals for their upcoming Guinness PRO12 games on Friday.
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor have included the likes of Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald and Eoin Reddan in their team to face Zebre at the RDS.
Cian Healy and Sean Cronin have been released by Joe Schmidt, to pick up game time ahead of the Six Nations encounter with England. Both are named on the Blues bench.
.@jimmygopps to make his 50th appearance v Zebre #COYBIB http://t.co/uOEsB40P3Z pic.twitter.com/JELjk7RKcG
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) February 19, 2015
Munster have eight Test-capped players in their squad to take on Scarlets, in Wales. Schmidt has permitted Tommy O’Donnell, Ian Keatley and Keith Earls to play in the game. All three are included in the starting XV.
MUNSTER XV: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Denis Hurley – capt., Luke O’Dea; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Butler, Neil Cronin, JJ Hanrahan, Ivan Dineen.
Ulster have five Ireland internationals, and Springbok scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, in their matchday squad to play Edinburgh, in Scotland.
Iain Henderson and Darren Cave have been permitted to travel while Craig Gilroy, Paul Marshall and Luke Marshall will all be hoping to catch Schmidt’s eye.
ULSTER XV:Â L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave, S McCloskey, M Allen, I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, I Henderson, F Van der Merwe, R Wilson (Captain), M McComish, N Williams.
Replacements:Â J Andrew, A Warwick, B Ross, L Stevenson, C Ross, P Marshall, L Marshall, P Nelson.
Racing Métro, today, named Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton in their 25-man extended squad to face Clermont on Saturday, in the Top 14. Also included as Welsh players Luke Charteris and Mike Phillips.
