Munster wing Simon Zebo has been included in the 33-man Ireland squad ahead of the Six Nations meeting with Italy in Dublin next weekend.
Ulster’s Tommy Bowe has been omitted as he continues his pursuit of fitness and game time that began with two tries against Newport-Gwent Dragons on Friday evening.
The Lions wing “tightened up after 30 minutes on Friday but finished the half as planned and will continue to follow a staged return to play programme,” according to an IRFU press release.
Luke Marshall has also been left out after taking another heavy knock to the head in that game.
“”Luke sustained a confirmed concussion against Dragons on Friday night playing for Ulster. The Ulster Medical Team will manage Luke through the return to play protocols this week.”
Zebo replaces provincial team-mate Felix Jones - “who took a knock to the knee and will be unavailable to train this week” - just as he did on Saturday evening when playing at fullback in Munster’s 18-13 defeat to Scarlets.
Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss is also included as his remarkable return to fitness after heart surgery continues.
Leinster scrumhalf Isaac Boss has been “given a week off” after a busy season so far, while Munster’s Tommy O’Donnell “received a stinger at the weekend and is facing a week’s recovery”.
Ireland Squad (33)
Forwards (19): Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Backs (14): Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
