Lowe back in Ireland squad, first call-up for Jimmy O'Brien

James Lowe has been brought back into the Ireland squad ahead of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy, while his Leinster team-mate Jimmy O'Brien gets a first call-up.

The Ireland squad will gather at Carton House on Monday evening having completed a two-day camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre last Thursday and Friday.

Fourteen players were released to play with their provinces at the weekend, and they all come back to the group today.

Lowe, who missed the Six Nations games against Wales and France due to injury, scored a brilliant 56th-minute try for Leinster in their 29-7 United Rugby Championship win over the Ospreys at the RDS.

His form and fitness is an obvious boost for Andy Farrell, while versatile Kildare man O'Brien has been rewarded for his good recent performances.

Jack Carty, Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Ryan Baird, Cian Healy, Jordan Larmour (Leinster), Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) and Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Tom O'Toole, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell (Ulster) return from club duty as preparation begins for the Dublin showdown with the Italians.

Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on Against the Head, Mondays, 8pm.