No sweeping changes from Joe Schmidt, but then that is not a surprise.
The Ireland head coach today named his squad for the final two rounds of a disappointing Six Nations, sticking with the same core group of players as the injury scourge seems to have cleared after the demolition derby days of the opening two rounds against Wales and France.
There is one interesting addition to the squad training in Carton House this week and while young Musnter back-row Jack O’Donoghue is unlikely to see game time against Italy or Scotland, it will give encouragement to one of Ireland’s most under-represented Rugby counties.
8 Munster players included with a call up for @Jack_ODonoghue8 Congrats Jack! https://t.co/7FxqHHomay
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 7, 2016
The 22 year old is a product of Waterpark RFC and could be on track to becoming Waterford’s first Ireland international in nearly 20 years.
O’Donoghue has already made 20 appearances for Munster this year, but the Irish back-row is a crowded marketplace right now so he may have to bide his time before emulating Ben Cronin.
His fellow Waterford back-row won two caps between 1995 and 1997 while playing for Munster and Garryowen.
O’Donoghue should shoot for the stars and look to follow in the footsteps of Barry Bresnihan, a son of Waterford who went on to represent UCD, Lansdowne, Munster, London Irish, Ireland (25 caps) and the Lions (three Tests).
Bresnihan, a doctor by trade, toured with the 1966 and 1968 Lions in New Zealand/Australia and South Africa. He also played for the Barbarians.
Déise Abú.
The full Ireland squad for the final two home Tests of the 2016 Six Nations matches against Italy (March 12th) and Scotland (March 19th) is below.
Forwards (19)
Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) c
Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)
David Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) vc
Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack O’Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
Nathan White (Connacht)
Backs (16)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Patrick Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
