Sallins’ Diarmuid Mangan has been called up to the Ireland squad for the first time ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations tie against Wales next Saturday.
The squad returned to camp on Sunday evening ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (Kick-off 2.15pm).
Mangan, whose younger brother Ciaran players with the Ireland U20s and other brother Darragh trained with the Kildare senior footballers over the winter and made an appearance in the challenge game against Galway, is one of six additions to the squad along with Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney.
The former Newbridge College student played the full game for Leinster on Friday evening as they beat Ospreys 22-19 in the BKT United Rugby Championship to maintain their unbeaten record. That was just his seventh appearance for Leinster and he has now been fast tracked into the Irish squad.
Mangan joins fellow Kildare men Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam and Cian Prendergast and Tadhg Beirne in the squad.
Ulster duo Iain Henderson (hamstring) and Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle) are unavailable due to injury and will remain with their province to recover and commence their rehabilitation programmes.
The workloads of Caelan Doris (knee) and Rónan Kelleher (neck) are being managed this week.
Tadhg Furlong is continuing to make progress and both Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy are back training with the squad.
Meanwhile, Craig Casey will join the Ireland camp this week as he bids to return to action over the coming months.
The Ireland team to face Wales will be named on Thursday morning.
Ireland Squad – Wales week:
Backs (17): Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Garry Ringrose
Forwards (23): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Rob Herring, John Hodnett, Rónan Kelleher, Diarmuid Mangan, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.
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