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Andy Farrell releases 13 players from Ireland squad for Pro14 duty

By Ciarán Kennedy
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has released 13 players from his Six Nations squad as attention turns to the trip to face England in Twickenham on February 23.

With this weekend being a break week in the Six Nations, Farrell will bring a reduced squad of just 23 players to a two day mini training camp in Cork this week.

Thirteen players have been released from the squad, and will return to their provinces with an opportunity to line out in this weekend's round of Guinness Pro14 fixtures.

Max Deegan, Dave Kearney, Ronan Kelleher, Luke McGrath and Will Connors will all return to Leinster ahead of the province's home clash against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Munster duo Chris Farrell and Jack O'Donoghue will also return to their province ahead of Friday's home game against the Kings.

Connacht will welcome back Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan for Saturday's game against Connacht, while Ulster will have Billy Burns, Stuart McCloskey, Jack McGrath and Tom O’Toole for their trip to play Ospreys on the same day.

Ireland will host an open session in Cork on Thursday, and are set to train with the Ireland U20s squad.

Farrell has made an impressive start to life as Ireland head coach, picking up wins against Scotland and Wales in Ireland's opening two Six Nations fixtures, and the squad now head to Twickenham chasing a Triple Crown.

Ireland squad for training camp:

Backs: (11)

Will Addison (Ulster) 4 caps; Bundee Aki (Connacht) 25 caps; Ross Byrne (Leinster) 5 caps; Andrew Conway (Munster) 20 caps; John Cooney (Ulster) 10 caps; Keith Earls (Munster) 83 caps; Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 42 caps; Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 23 caps; Conor Murray (Munster) 80 caps; Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 90 caps; Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 27 caps

Forwards: (12)

Caelan Doris (Leinster) 1 cap; Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 43 caps; Cian Healy (Leinster) 97 caps; Iain Henderson (Ulster) 55 caps; Rob Herring (Ulster) 10 caps; Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 38 caps; Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 66 caps; Andrew Porter (Leinster) 25 caps; James Ryan (Leinster) 25 caps; CJ Stander (Munster) 40 caps; Devin Toner (Leinster) 69 caps; Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 25 caps

Watch: Eddie Jones warns against Six Nations expansion

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johnz 14 minutes ago

I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.


Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.

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Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?
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ColinK 14 minutes ago

Whatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.

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