Murray, Kearney boost for Ireland
Ireland received a timeous boost ahead of the start of their Six Nations campaign, with Conor Murray and Dave Kearney both cleared to feature in the season opener against Italy in Rome.
The defending champions will rely heavily on the two players, both key members in last season's victorious Six Nations side.
Murray trained fully last Friday, despite a neck problem, while Kearney's shoulder has sufficiently healed after Ashley Johnson's midair tackle on January 24.
Still, as precautionary measure factoring in Eoin Reddan's fitness, four scrumhalves are included among the 38-man squad named on Monday.
Of the 23-man squad that captured the title in Paris last March, only Chris Henry (heart surgery), Brian O'Driscoll (retirement), Andrew Trimble (foot) and Fergus McFadden are unavailable.
McFadden damaged rib cartilage during the Irish Wolfhounds' stuttering defeat to the England Saxons in Cork last Frtiday.
He will be treated by Leinster medics.
"Jack Conan and Michael Bent did well against the Saxons, but will return to Leinster, as will Noel Reid who was restricted to a brief cameo as he was covering a number of positions," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said.
"Rob Herring returns to Ulster and will look forward to having an opportunity for further game time.
"Fergus McFadden has a rib cartilage injury, while Craig Gilroy will follow the return to play protocols after a concussion in the Wolfhounds game."
Ireland squad:
Forwards: Rory Best, James Cronin, Sean Cronin, Robbie Diack, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Paul O'Connell, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Ross, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Nathan White.
Backs: Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Felix Jones, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Zebo.
Date: Saturday, February 7'
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Berry (SA)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
