Uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle named in first Ireland squad under Simon Easterby

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle in a 36-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

The 22-year-old Boyle has been selected ahead of Ulster’s Tom O’Toole, who is unavailable for his country’s first two games of the tournament due to suspension following his red card against Munster.

Having taken temporary charge of the team while Andy Farrell oversees this year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, defence coach Easterby has made few alterations from the autumn.

Hooker Dan Sheehan and wing James Lowe are both included and will link up with the squad on Sunday, January 26th, subject to successful returns from injury with Leinster.

Sheehan has been out with a damaged anterior cruciate ligament since last summer’s tour to South Africa, while Lowe sustained a calf issue during the the 22-19 win over Australia on November 30th.

Versatile back Jimmy O’Brien and back-rower Jack Conan are also back after injuries.

Connacht’s Caolin Blade is selected as third-choice scrum-half behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray due to Craig Casey’s knee injury.

Centre Stuart McCloskey, who has a hamstring problem, Ulster team-mates Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney and Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan are the other players omitted from the last squad selected by Farrell.

Uncapped quartet Hugh Cooney, James McNabney, Ben Murphy and Cathal Forde will join the group as development players.

Ireland begin their quest for an unprecedented third successive Championship title on Saturday, February 1st when England visit the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Easterby said: “The Guinness Six Nations is one of the most keenly contested competitions in the global calendar and there’s great excitement