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20th Jan 2015

These returning Irish stars would give Joe Schmidt’s last XV a serious game

The Kiwi names an extended Six Nations squad later this week

Patrick McCarry

Shine up that Six Nations trophy, nice and pretty, because we want it back

Joe Schmidt will announce his extended Six Nations training squad, on Thursday, and is expected to include players for the Wolfhounds [Ireland A side]. The Wolfhounds take on England Saxons, on Friday, January 30, at Musgrave Park in Cork.

With so many Test regulars returning from injury, short of game-time and a few positions highly-contested by in-form players, Schmidt could name one of the strongest ever ‘A’ teams in recent years. This is a potential XV that would certainly dismantle the Saxons and even given Schmidt’s team [the one that started against Australia in November] a run for their money.

Loose-head: Cian Healy

Cian Healy with the trophy 15/3/2014

Hooker: Sean Cronin

LeinsterÕs Sean Cronin 19/10/2014

Tight-head: Marty Moore

Marty Moore 5/1/2015

Lock: Dave Foley

Dave Foley 22/11/2014

Lock: Iain Henderson

Blindside: Dominic Ryan

Dominic Ryan with George Lowe 13/12/2014

Openside: Sean O’Brien (captain)

Sean O'Brien in action against Wales 16/1/2014

Number 8: Robin Copeland

Robin Copeland scores the first try 28/11/2014

Scrum-half: Kieran Marmion

IrelandÕs Kieran Marmion 16/11//2014

Out-half: Ian Keatley

Ian Keatley 28/11/2014

Left wing: Dave Kearney

Dave Kearney 15/12/2014

Inside centre: Jared Payne

Jared Payne tackled by Jean de Villiers 8/11/2014

Outside centre: Darren Cave

Darren Cave 6/1/2015

Right wing: Craig Gilroy

Craig Gilroy 12/11/2014

Full-back: Felix Jones

Felix Jones and Dave Foley 16/11/2014

Potential Wolfhounds bench

James Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Rodney Ah You, Mike McCarthy, Tommy O’Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Gareth Steenson, Keith Earls.

Keith Earls 20/5//2014

IRELAND XV (that beat Australia 26-23): Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Gordon D’Arcy, Simon Zebo; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Jamie Heaslip.

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