Tipperary duo included in Six Nations squad

O'Donnell from Cahir will be hoping to add to his 12 international caps in the games away to Scotland and Italy.

In contrast Nenagh's Donnacha Ryan has donned the Irish jersey on 43 occasions.

Joe Schmidt has named three uncapped players in the squad for the first two games in the campaign.

They are the Munster trio of Andrew Conway, Niall Scannell and Rory Scannell who have all played a role in the province's impressive recent form.

The management team have selected just two out-halves, with Jonathan Sexton included despite his recent calf strain.

Alongside him will be Paddy Jackson who has been chosen ahead of Ian Madigan.

The other notable selection is the inclusion of winger Tommy Bowe who will be hoping for his first cap since suffering a knee injury in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Leinster supply the most players in the squad with 15, followed by 13 from Munster, 8 from Ulster and 4 from Connacht.

Ireland get their campaign underway against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday week.