Uncapped Munster flanker Jack O’Donoghue has been called up by Ireland for the country’s two remaining Six Nations fixtures against Italy and Scotland.
Sean O’Brien has been sidelined with hamstring trouble, former Ireland Under-20s star O’Donoghue adding depth to Ireland’s loose forward stocks, with Jordi Murphy and Tommy O’Donnell also in the 35-man training squad.
CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip and Rhys Ruddock were the four back-row forwards selected for the match squad in Ireland’s 21-10 defeat to England at Twickenham on February 27.
That quartet will feature strongly across Ireland’s final two fixtures, with Schmidt’s men still seeking their first victory in this year’s tournament.
Ireland have targeted two wins from their final two matches to claw back some pride and avoid slipping from two-time reigning champions to also-rans.
Despite the pressing need for victories, coach Joe Schmidt may yet decide to mix up selection with one eye on long-term development, hence O’Donoghue’s addition to the squad.
Connacht prop Finlay Bealham is the only other uncapped member of Ireland’s squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Italy in Dublin.
