JOE SCHMIDT HAS called uncapped Munster back row Jack O’Donoghue into Ireland’s squad for the closing two rounds of the Six Nations.

O'Donoghue is a fantastic back row prospect. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

22-year-old O’Donoghue has been in excellent form for Munster this season, starting games in each of the three back row positions. His performances at provincial level have earned him a first call-up from Schmidt.

The Waterford man is already an Ireland international at Youths, U19 and U20 levels and will now hope to win his first senior cap against Italy or Scotland in the next fortnight.

Formerly of Waterpark RFC and now a UL Bohemians club man, O’Donoghue’s ball-carrying power, pace and mobility have always been strengths, while he has improved with each senior appearance for Munster in the last two seasons.

Schmidt has not opted for further changes to his Six Nations squad aside from calling O’Donoghue up, with Finlay Bealham the only other uncapped player hoping for a maiden international opportunity in the coming weekends.

Ireland squad for rounds four and five of Six Nations:

Forwards (19):

Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)
David Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Vice captain
Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack O’Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs (16):

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

* denotes uncapped player

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