By Luke Augustus for MailOnline
Published: 17:38 GMT, 16 January 2019 | Updated: 17:45 GMT, 16 January 2019
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Grand Slam champions Ireland have called-up three uncapped players in their 38-man squad for their opening two games of this year's Six Nations against England and Scotland next month.
Connacht trio Caolin Blade, Jack Carty and Tom Farrell have all been selected by head coach Joe Schmidt as they bid to defend their title.
Schmidt has been handed a boost in that he's been able to choose Ulster lock Iain Henderson who has made a speedy recovery from a thumb injury.
Connacht's Jack Carty is among three uncapped players selected in Ireland's 38-man squad
Carty's club team-mate Tom Farrell has also been called up to their Six Nations squad
Caolin Blade (centre) is the third Connacht uncapped player to be chosen Joe Schmidt
However, flanker Dan Leavy doesn't make the cut due to injury while his Leinster team-mate Ross Bryne has been left out all together.
Flanker Sean O'Brien has been included having broken his arm in the autumn win over Argentina while centre Robbie Henshaw has also recovered from a hamstring strain.
Veteran hooker Rory Best remains as captain with fly-half talisman Jonathan Sexton vice-captain.
Schmidt gave a positive update on Sexton's fitness when naming his squad for the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations.
Sexton, the reigning World Player of the Year, has been troubled by a knee tendon issue and will miss Leinster's final European Champions Cup pool match at Wasps on Sunday.
'Johnny Sexton is making good progress, while Joey Carbery and Jack Carty have both performed consistently well so far this season,' Schmidt told www.irishrugby.ie.
Rory Best has been named as captain for as they look to win another Grand Slam this year
'Ross Byrne is unlucky in an incredibly tight call.
'He is still definitely in our thinking and will continue
