Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones), Victor Costello (Leinster – St. Mary’s College),Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Munster – Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), John Hayes (Munster – Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster – CorkConstitution), Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Frank Sheahan (Munster – Cork Constitution).

Backs: Gordon Darcy (Leinster – Lansdowne), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Rotherham), Shane Horgan (Leinster – Lansdowne), Tyrone Howe (Ulster – Dungannon), David Humphreys (Ulster –Dungannon), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster – Blackrock College) Captain, Ronan O’Gara (Munster – Cork Constitution), Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon).

Players omitted from the 34 strong preliminary Six Nations squad have been released to return to their provinces for Celtic League duties as of noon today.

The team to play France will be announced on next Tuesday 10th February.