Uncapped Connacht forward Mike McCarthy has been named in Ireland’s RBS Six Nations squad – but there is no place for Tomas O’Leary.
Back-rower McCarthy, 29, has been rewarded for some impressive display in the Magners League with a place in the 32-man party.
There are also recalls for Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald and Ulster hooker Rory Best, the duo having missed the autumn Test series through injury.
Munster scrum-half O’Leary, however, has to make do with a place in the Irish Wolfhounds squad.
Instead coach Declan Kidney has preferred Eoin Reddan and Peter Stringer as his options for the number nine jersey.
Leicester captain Geordan Murphy also misses out, though the full-back is currently sidelined with a serious ankle injury that looks set to end his season.
Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 5.
Kidney said: “As always, the selection of the squad is never an easy one, but certainly the level of competition in each position is probably as great as it has ever been over the last two years.
“Players have been really pushing their performances for their provinces, so that level of competition can only be good.
“That translates into more competition for each place in the squad, and then for the first selection against Italy, which can only be a good thing coming into the championship.
“As we know from last year and every other time we have faced Italy, they represent a greater threat every year.
“The addition of their teams in the Magners League is building their experience, and I think that will have an even greater influence on their national side for the championship.
“The key for us is to work hard in setting the foundations for the tournament in our first week in camp, and our only focus will be on that opening game against Italy.”
Ireland squad for Six Nations:
Backs: T Bowe (Ospreys), G D’Arcy (Leinster), G Duffy (Connacht), K Earls (Munster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), R O’ Gara (Munster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, captain), E Reddan (Leinster), J Sexton (Leinster), P Stringer (Munster), A Trimble (Ulster), P Wallace (Ulster).
Forwards: R Best (Ulster), T Court (Ulster), S Cronin (Connacht), L Cullen (Leinster), S Ferris (Ulster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), C Healy (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), M McCarthy (Connacht), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S O’Brien (Leinster), M O’Driscoll (Munster), M Ross (Leinster), R Ruddock (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster).
