KEY POINTS:
DUBLIN - Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan named a 35-man squad on today for next month's Six Nations rugby championship, bringing in six players left out for the wins over South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islanders in November.
O'Sullivan also included two uncapped players -- Munster centre Barry Murphy and Leinster back Robert Kearney.
Also among the backs, Ulster wing Tommy Bowe returns from a hamstring injury.
Among the forwards are Munster hooker Jerry Flannery, who returns from a season-long shoulder injury, Munster second row Mick O'Driscoll and Leinster second row Trevor Hogan who won two caps against Japan in 2005.
Stephen Ferris was not considered because of a hand injury while Munster back row Alan Quinlan is suspended.
Ireland play their first Six Nations game in Wales on February 4.
Squad:
Backs: Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Girvan Dempsey, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Robert Kearney, John Kelly, Barry Murphy, Geordan Murphy, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Peter Stringer, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace.
Forwards: Neil Best, Rory Best, Simon Best, Simon Easterby, Jerry Flannery, Keith Gleeson, John Hayes, Jamie Heaslip, Trevor Hogan, Marcus Horan, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mick O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly, Frankie Sheahan, David Wallace, Bryan Young.
- REUTERS