Squad Announcement | Nine Munster players included as Andy Farrell names the Irish Six Nations Squad

Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey and more Munster men received the call up for the Irish national side as the Guinness Six Nations Championship closes in.

Andy Farrell and the Irish Rugby coaching staff released the Irish squad for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations today. There has been much anticipation around the announcement as Irish fans have been clamouring for international rugby with all their favourite players competing.

Jonathan Sexton finds himself captaining the side once again who had gained his 100^th cap against Japan in the Autumn Internationals.

The Munster contingent is well represented as Farrell names nine players from the red province in his 37-man squad. Regular faces such as Conor Murray and Munster captain Peter O’Mahony were selected as their experience on the international stage is invaluable to the national side.

Tadgh Beirne sees himself included once more after an incredible individual season for Munster. Beirne’s performances in the green jersey have been nothing short of spectacular almost guaranteeing his place. Munster forward Dave Kilcoyne has also been selected as he brings power through his ball carrying and scrummaging.

Gavin Coombes did almost everything he could in a red jersey to book himself a place in Farrell’s Irish side. Proving to have an X-factor Coombes can affect the game on either side of the ball due to his physicality and good decision making. Craig Casey’s inclusion in the squad shows a strong trust in youth from the Irish Coach. Casey is an intelligent scrumhalf with great skills who is a great addition to the side.

To round off the Munster inclusions, star fly-half Joey Carbery was named to the side. Carbery, who isn’t playing due to injury should be fit for the latter games of the campaign. Finally, both Andrew Conway and Keith Earls were included as their killer instinct can help decide a test. Both wingers rarely pass up an opportunity to finish a try and are valuable members to the squad.

Ireland’s opening fixture of the 2022 Six Nations Championship is against Wales on Saturday 5th February. A week later, the squad will travel to France to take on Les Bleus in Paris. In Round 3, on Sunday 27th February, Ireland host Italy at the Aviva Stadium and then travel to Twickenham to take on England two weeks later.

In the final round of the Championship, Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 19th March.

Check out the full squad below.