Updated at 19.28
SIMON ZEBO HAS been named in Joe Schmidt’s 33-man Ireland to face Italy in the Six Nations next weekend, however there is no room for Ulster’s Tommy Bowe.
Zebo has previously been left out of each of the squads during Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, despite some eye-catching performances, but Schmidt has finally decided to place faith in the 23-year-old Munster player.
Fellow winger Bowe is still absent however, despite an impressive performance for Ulster, in which he scored two tries, against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday.
The coaching staff believe the 30-year-old has yet to reach full fitness, and consequently will not be considered for selection against the Italians.
Meanwhile, Bowe’s teammate Luke Marshall is also missing after suffering a concussion in the same game against the Dragons.
Check out the full squad below.
Ireland squad:
Forwards (19): Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster).
Backs (14): Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster).
Not considered for selection:
Tommy O’Donnell – received a stinger at the weekend and is facing a week’s recovery.
Tommy Bowe – tightened up after 30 minutes on Friday but finished the half as planned and will continue to follow a staged return to play programme.
Isaac Boss – has been given a week off after not having a break since the start of the season.
Felix Jones – took a knock to the knee and will be unavailable to train this week. He has been replaced in the squad by Simon Zebo.
