Leinster loose forward Jack Conan and Connacht prop Nathan White were the only uncapped players picked in Ireland’s 46-man training squad for the Six Nations on Thursday.
Conan has impressed for his region in the absence of the injured Sean O’Brien and the rested Jamie Heaslip.
The New Zealand-born White was set to become Ireland’s fourth-oldest debutant at 33 in the November tests, but ruptured an arm tendon in camp. He’s expected to make his comeback to action on Saturday for his province in the European Challenge Cup.
O’Brien and prop Cian Healy returned to the squad after long-term injuries, and both are in line to appear for the Irish Wolfhounds against the England Saxons on 30 January.
O’Brien has not represented Ireland since hurting his left shoulder in November 2013, in the two-point loss to New Zealand. Since then, he’s had two reconstructions of the shoulder. Healy tore his hamstring in September.
Flyhald Jonathan Sexton was included in the squad, even though he’s likely to miss the first two rounds while he completes a 12-week layoff for repeated concussions last year.
Ireland begin their defence of the Six Nations title on February 7 against Italy in Rome.
“The coaching group have tried to strike a balance between some players getting the chance to fully complete their rehabilitation programs, or get a bit of rest, and others getting the opportunity to push their claims with further game time in the Wolfhounds fixture,” coach Joe Schmidt said.
Ireland Squad:
Backs: Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Craig Gilroy, Robbie Henshaw, Felix Jones, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Noel Reid, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Zebo
Forwards: Michael Bent, Rory Best, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, James Cronin, Robbie Diack, Dave Foley, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Paul O’Connell, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Nathan White.
SuperSport