O'Driscoll Back for Ireland
Rugby: Brian O'Driscoll is set to make his first international appearance since his Lions nightmare after Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan included his in Ireland's Six nations squad.
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has named Brian O’Driscoll in his 35-man squad for the Six Nations Championship. The star centre did not feature in Ireland’s autumn international series after the dislocated shoulder sustained in the opening Test of the Lions tour of New Zealand.
Two other players forced to miss the autumn series, lock Paul O’Connell and winger Denis Hickie, have also returned and O’Sullivan has summoned four uncapped players: Leinster’s Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip, Leicester back row Shane Jennings and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan.
The Irish coach has again chosen to ignore Toulouse’s Trevor Brennan. "Paul [O’Connell] and Brian [O’Driscoll] have had tough seasons so far in terms of injuries, but their form has been excellent since they returned to playing in December," said O’Sullivan. "Along with the return of Denis Hickie, it gives the squad a little bit more experience then we had in November.
"Keeping in mind that we have the final round of the Heineken Cup this weekend, hopefully the squad will be fit and well and on the field next Monday morning." Ireland play their opening match at home against Italy on February 4.
Ireland squad for 2006 RBS Six Nations:
Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Guy Easterby (Leinster), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), David Humphreys (Ulster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), John Kelly (Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
Forwards: Neil Best (Ulster), Simon Best (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Shane Byrne (Saracens), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Munster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leicester), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster), David Wallace (Munster).
Two other players forced to miss the autumn series, lock Paul O’Connell and winger Denis Hickie, have also returned and O’Sullivan has summoned four uncapped players: Leinster’s Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip, Leicester back row Shane Jennings and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan.
The Irish coach has again chosen to ignore Toulouse’s Trevor Brennan. "Paul [O’Connell] and Brian [O’Driscoll] have had tough seasons so far in terms of injuries, but their form has been excellent since they returned to playing in December," said O’Sullivan. "Along with the return of Denis Hickie, it gives the squad a little bit more experience then we had in November.
"Keeping in mind that we have the final round of the Heineken Cup this weekend, hopefully the squad will be fit and well and on the field next Monday morning." Ireland play their opening match at home against Italy on February 4.
Ireland squad for 2006 RBS Six Nations:
Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Guy Easterby (Leinster), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), David Humphreys (Ulster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), John Kelly (Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
Forwards: Neil Best (Ulster), Simon Best (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Shane Byrne (Saracens), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Munster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leicester), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster), David Wallace (Munster).
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Irish Chief Changes His Tune and Turns the Spotlight on O'sullivan
- Ireland Recall Murphy for Argentina
- O'Sullivan Extends Ireland Contract With Lions Proviso
- O'Sullivan Calls for Irish Focus
- Six Nations: Ireland Cry Foul Over Wilkinson Fitness Concerns
- Six Nations: O'sullivan Relishes the Rollercoaster Ride
- Eddie O'sullivan Interview
- Rugby Union: O'sullivan Starts From Position of Strength
- Ireland Ditch Dad's Army and Call in Greenhorns
- Rugby Union: O'driscoll's Dazzling Form Reveals New Horizons for Ireland
- Raging O'sullivan Points Finger at Umaga
- Six Nations: Ireland Primed to Seize Destiny
- Ireland 36 - 15 Wales
- Six Nations: France 35 - 17 Ireland
- Rugby Union: Woodward Favourite As Lions Prepare to Name Their Coach
- Ireland Axe Falls on Foley
- O'Sullivan Admits to No10 Dilemma
- O'Sullivan Fearful of the Pumas' Back Hand
- Fewer Breaks for Marked Man O'driscoll
- O'Sullivan Brings Back Bishop