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Props, prohibiting substances and even a proposal at Ireland's open training session

Here’s how Ireland are looking a week out from the Six Nations.

Joe Schmidt Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

JOE SCHMIDT TOOK his Ireland squad out from behind Carton House’s steel curtain this afternoon for an open training session in the Aviva Stadium.

Here’s how the Six Nations champs / RWC quarter-finalists are shaping up.

The squad wore ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ t-shirts for the session

This week, the Welsh Rugby Union was prompted to issue another strong stance against doping as they issued a two-year suspension to an amateur player after a positive test for benzoylecgonine in a pre-season friendly last August.

The players warm up wearing 'Keep Rugby Clean' T-Shirts Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Josh van der Flier was among the uncapped contingent

The Leinster back row was back in the Aviva for the first time since the loss to Toulon.

Josh van der Flier

Jonathan Sexton took some part in the session

Jonathan Sexton

Looks like Nathan White just caught Andrew Trimble raiding his stash of protein bars

Nathan White and Andrew Trimble

You only clicked in for pictures of selfies? Here you go!

All part of the job, skip.

Rory Best with fans Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

A few thousand tickets were sought for the event

Fans at the open training session in the Aviva Stadium today Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

And those inside the ground got a glimpse of the combinations Schmidt was testing out

Fans at the open training session in the Aviva Stadium today

The players warm up wearing 'Keep Rugby Clean' T-Shirts

And Stuart McCloskey’s skill

Stuart McCloskey Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Paddy Jackson took the reins on the back-line

Paddy Jackson Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

CJ Stander got to grips with some new line-out calls

CJ Stander

Rory Best throws into a line-out Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Forwards coach Simon Easterby circles the wagons with his pack

Tommy O'Donnell Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Simon Easterby speaking to the players Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Then the backs were allowed join in too

The Ireland players in a huddle

Valentine’s Day is still over two weeks away, but there was romance swirling in the air

Paulo Eduardo proposes to Jessica Moraes

Jessica Moraes is the lucky lady with Paulo Eduardo bearing the ring

Paulo Eduardo proposes to Jessica Moraes

We’re going out on a limb here, but we reckon she said yes

Paulo Eduardo proposes to Jessica Moraes

Thank God!

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Author
Sean Farrell
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