Seven Munster Players In Six Nations Squad

CJ Stander is one of four uncapped players named in Ireland’s 35 man squad for the opening two rounds of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Connacht's Ultan Dillane from Tralee is another uncapped player included in the squad with Leinster's Josh van der Flier and Ulster's Stuart McCloskey completing the new additions.

CJ Stander joins his provincial colleagues James Cronin, Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Tommy O'Donnell, Donnacha Ryan and Simon Zebo in the squad.

Munster squad captain Peter O'Mahony was unavailable for selection due to long-term injury.

Stander who became eligible to play for Ireland at the end of October once against proved he his a force to be reckoned with after his man of the match perfomance against Stade last Saturday in Thomond Park.  

Standing out as a consistent performer CJ has taken over the captaincy duties this season in the absence of the injured Peter O'Mahony and in December the South African powerhouse confirmed he will remain with the province until at least June 2018.

Ulster's Rory Best has been named as Ireland Captain.

Ireland will host Wales in round one of the Championship on Sunday 7th February at a sold out Aviva Stadium. 

While in round 2, Ireland travel to Paris to take on France at the Stade de France. 

Ireland's remaining 6 Nations home games against Italy and Scotland are also sold out. 
 
Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt commented, “As always there were a number of tight decisions, especially with a number of players not being available to play in recent weeks.  
 
“There are a few new faces but at the same time we have resisted the temptation to include some of the very promising youngsters, allowing them a bit more time to develop as well as the opportunity of further game time with their provinces.
 
“With plenty of new personnel involved the Championship is going to be incredibly challenging and the players selected will know they will need to be at their best to be competitive.”
 
The Ireland team will host two open training sessions during the 6 Nations where fans can watch the team train and meet the players.  The first open session takes place in the Aviva Stadium on Friday 29th January with the second taking place in Mullingar RFC on Friday 19th February.  Both open sessions are ticketed events with details on how to access tickets available on the IRFU website.
 
Ireland 2016 RBS 6 Nations Squad Round 1 & 2:
 
Forwards (19)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (c)
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (vc)
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)*
Nathan White (Connacht)
 
Backs (16)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)
 
*Denotes uncapped player