Ireland trio back for Six Nations

Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll returns to the squad after injury

Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll, Denis Hickie and Paul O'Connell have returned to the squad for the RBS Six Nations.

The trio missed the internationals in November because of injury.

Leicester flanker Shane Jennings and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan are newcomers to the 35-man panel which was named on Tuesday.

Uncapped Leinster pair Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney are also included while Keith Gleeson, Kieran Campbell and Matt McCullough are notable omissions.

Wasps' Jeremy Staunton gets a spot after impressing at fly-half for the English club this season.

"Paul (O'Connell) and Brian (O'Driscoll) have had tough seasons so far in terms of injuries, but their form has been excellent since they returned to playing in December," said Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"Along with the return of Denis Hickie, it gives the squad a little bit more experience then we had in November.

"Keeping in mind that we have the final round of the Heineken Cup this weekend, hopefully the squad will be fit and well and on the field next Monday morning."

I'm excited about the prospect of joining in up with the Ireland squad Eoin Reddan

He added: "As well as the return of the more senior players, we still have a good blend of youth with Andrew Trimble, Rory Best, Neil Best and Jerry Flannery all coming into the Six Nations with a little bit more experience.

"Both Eoin (Reddan) and Shane (Jennings) have been in good form for their clubs, so it will be good to see how they go with the squad next week.

"Jeremy Staunton and John Kelly have also been playing well and deserve their call up."

Reddan was delighted at the news of his inclusion.

"It's every young players ambition to play for his country, and getting into the 35 is the first step on the ladder to getting there," said Reddan.

"I'm excited about the prospect of joining in up with the Ireland squad and training with the best in the country.

"The next step is to get myself in the position to challenge for the number nine shirt, and I'm certainly going to give it everything to try and get there," added Reddan.

RBS Six Nations squad:

Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), G Dempsey (Leinster), G Easterby (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster), J Kelly (Munster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), J Staunton (Wasps), P Stringer (Munster), A Trimble (Ulster).

Forwards: N Best (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), R Best (Ulster), S Byrne (Saracens), R Corrigan (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), A Foley (Munster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), S Jennings (Leicester), D Leamy (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), J O'Connor (Wasps), M O'Driscoll (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster).