James Lowe has been named in the 38-man Ireland squad along with uncapped clubmate Jimmy O’Brien as they prepare for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy.
The 29-year-old missed the first two rounds of the Championship with a hamstring injury but he returned to action with Leinster on Saturday as they defeated Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship.
Lowe had been off the bench for just four minutes when he received the ball from Jimmy O’Brien, beating Luke Morgan with a sublime goose step and burning the Ospreys’ defence for the third try in a 29-7 victory.
The Lenister duo have plenty to celebrate with 25-year-old O’Brien joining Lowe after receiving his maiden call-up, making waves by becoming the first player in his province to score four tries in a European fixture during last month’s win over Bath.
Andy Farrell will welcome the return of Lowe who was instrumental in the Autumn Nations Series, scoring the opening try in Ireland’s pulsating 29-20 win over New Zealand, but the performances of his Guinness Six Nations replacement may cause a selection headache.
Mack Hansen won Player of the Match on his debut, gaining 94 meters in the 29-7 win over Wales, before stunning Les Bleus in Round 2 as the Connaught full back leapt to collect the restart before running in his maiden international try.
In addition to Lowe and O’Brien’s selection, the 14 players who were released to play with their provinces over the weekend have also returned to the squad for the Italy match week.
Jack Carty, Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Ryan Baird, Cian Healy, Jordan Larmour (Leinster), Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) and Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell (Ulster) have all been named in the squad.
Ireland will be looking to get back to winning ways in Round 3 after losing 30-24 to France last time out. Farrell’s men currently sit third in the table, level on points with England and three points behind Les Bleus.
Ireland squad
Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Iain Henderson (Ulster) Rob Herring (Ulster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).
Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Jack Carty (Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), James Hume (Ulster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Jordan Larmour (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Michael Lowry (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Johnny Sexton (Leinster).
