Harry Byrne included in Ireland squad for Six Nations

Michael Bolton

Leinster fly-half Harry Byrne has been included in the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the Six Nations.

Byrne has impressed since his return to Leinster this season,having been on loan at Bristol for the second half of last season.

He will battle it out with Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast to start away to France in the opening match of the Six Nations.

Byrne's last game for Ireland was against Scotland in the 2024 Six Nations.

Elsewhere in the squad, the uncapped Edwin Edogbo and Nathan Doak have been included.

With Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy ruled out through injury, Munster's loosehead props Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne are included, alongside Leinster's Jack Boyle.

Despite injuries, Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne have been included, with Ulster's Robert Baloucoune playing his way back into the squad.

Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Mack Hansen, Ryan Baird, and Cormac Izuchukwu are all out with injury.

Ulster backrower Bryn Ward and Connacht second row Darragh Murray will also join the squad in Portugal before linking up with the Ireland XV squad.

Ireland squad for the Six Nations

Forwards (20): Tom Ahern (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Edwin Edogbo (Munster)*, Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

Backs (17): Bundee Aki (Connacht)(68), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster)*, Tom Farrell (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(46), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).