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Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been left out of Ireland’s 37-strong squad for the Six Nations.
The second row, 33, made his Ireland debut in 2012 and has won 85 caps, including five Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.
Leinster prop Andrew Porter will miss the start of the Six Nations with a calf injury while Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash and Jimmy O’Brien are also sidelined.
Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu is also unavailable for selection, while wing Mack Hansen has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
Munster back row Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak are the two uncapped players in Andy Farrell’s squad.
Hugo Keenan has been named despite not featuring for Leinster or Ireland since the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia last summer.
There is no place for former Ireland Rugby Sevens stars Zac Ward and JJ Kenny, who have impressed on the wing for Ulster and Leinster respectively but have not been selected by Farrell.
Ireland open their Six Nations campaign against holders France in Paris on Thursday, 5 February.
Farrell’s side then host Italy and visit England before two final matches in Dublin with Wales and Scotland.
Ireland won the Triple Crown in 2025 but finished third in the table behind France and England.
“I believe that we have a talented and committed group who have the aptitude and drive to bring success to Ireland over the coming weeks,” said Farrell.
“The Six Nations is an incredible tournament which brings out the best in players, and I have no doubt that these fixtures will be keenly contested once more.”
Henderson returned on New Year’s Day from a back injury that had kept him out since November.
Despite a number of injuries over the years, he has been a regular for Ireland both under Joe Schmidt and Farrell, and is a two-time British and Irish Lion in 2017 and 2021.
Despite no Henderson, Izuchukwu and Ward, there are seven Ulster players in the squad.
Doak is likely to be third choice scrum-half behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, while Stuart McCloskey, the recalled Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale are also named.
In the forward pack, the in-form province will be represented by hooker Tom Stewart, prop Tom O’Toole and back row Nick Timoney.
Props Finlay Bealham and Tadhg Furlong have been included despite injury concerns, and the absence of Porter has opened the door for Jeremy Loughman, Jack Boyle and Michael Milne.
Ireland squad
Forwards: Tom Ahern (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, captain), Edwin Edogbo (Munster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Ronan 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: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Tom Farrell (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).
