Six Nations 2025: Simon Easterby names first Ireland squad as stand-in head coach for Andy Farrell
Interim head coach Simon Easterby has named his first squad as he takes charge of Ireland’s Six Nations defence while Andy Farrell leads the British and Irish Lions in Australia this summer.
Uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle is included in the 36-player squad, replacing the suspended Tom O’Toole.
Injured wing due James Lowe and hooker Dan Sheehan have been selected “subject to their successful return from injury”, the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] has said.
Lowe has not played since November, while Sheehan tore his ACL last summer.
The 22-year-old Boyle’s call up comes after having been a development player in Ireland’s Autumn Internationals squad in November.
Easterby has called up Leinster’s Hugh Cooney, Ulster back row James McNabney and Connacht duo Ben Murphy and Cathal Forde as development players for the Six Nations.
The uncapped quartet are set to link up with the Ireland squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday and travel to the pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.
Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign at home against England on February 1. Steve Borthwick’s side prevented Ireland from securing the Grand Slam last year, with a 23-22 triumph at Twickenham.
Looking ahead to Ireland’s bid for a third-successive Six Nations, Easterby said: “There’s great excitement across the playing group and coaching team for this year’s tournament.
“Personally, I’m hugely excited to work with a talented group and speaking to the players you can sense that they are up for the challenge.”
Ireland’s 36-player Six Nations squad
Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Six Nations 2025 fixtures: Ireland
- February 1: England (h)
- February 9: Scotland (a)
- February 22: Wales (a)
- March 8: France (h)
- March 15: Italy (a)
