Farrell trims his Irish squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has released 13 players from his Six Nations squad as attention turns to the trip to face England in Twickenham on February 23.
With this weekend being a break week in the Six Nations, Farrell will bring a reduced squad of just 23 players to a two-day mini training camp in Cork this week.
Thirteen players have been released from the squad and will return to their provinces with an opportunity to line out in this weekend’s round of Pro14 fixtures.
Max Deegan, Dave Kearney, Ronan Kelleher, Luke McGrath and Will Connors will all return to Leinster ahead of the province’s home clash against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Munster duo Chris Farrell and Jack O’Donoghue will also return to their province ahead of Friday’s home game against the Kings.
Connacht will welcome back Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan for Saturday’s game against Connacht, while Ulster will have Billy Burns, Stuart McCloskey, Jack McGrath and Tom O’Toole for their trip to play Ospreys on the same day.
Ireland will host an open session in Cork on Thursday and are set to train with the Ireland U20s squad.
Farrell has made an impressive start to life as Ireland head coach, picking up wins against Scotland and Wales in Ireland’s opening two Six Nations fixtures, and the squad now head to Twickenham chasing a Triple Crown.
Ireland squad:
Backs:
Will Addison, Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Andrew Conway, John Cooney, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale
Forwards:
Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier.
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