Caolin Blade is one of three uncapped players in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for the Six Nations.
The scrum-half Blade is in with a decent chance to make his international debut in the coming months, as Luke McGrath, Kieran Marmion and John Cooney are all struggling with injuries.
The 24 year-old has been in impressive form for the western province, playing in all of Connacht’s matches so far this season.
Andy Dunne was on this morning’s OTB AM and was unsure about whether the young scrum half was ready to make the step up to international level.
"I think his issue for me technically, is his passing. For every five or six passes he’ll do, there’ll be one kind of wobbler," Dunne stated.
"I do see him as a general. As a nine the rest of his game is excellent. Physicality, workrate, speed, a threat around the fringes. They’re all huge positives.”
Fellow Connacht man Tom Farrell is included as is Jack Carty.
However, Leinster out-half Ross Byrne missed out on inclusion.
39 players in total have been named in the squad for this year’s tournament, with Rory Best captaining the side. Meanwhile, Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony have been named as vice-captains.
Ireland Squad:
Here's the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of @SixNationsRugby
3 uncapped players and several 'tight calls' says Head Coach Joe Scmidt.#TeamOfUs #Ireland #ShoulderToShoulder #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/FbfH3jNS2G
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 16, 2019
Written by Eoin Harte.
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