Around the camps

IRELAND

HEAD coach Andy Farrell has named uncapped duo Mack Hansen and Michael Lowry in his 37-man squad. Connacht wing Hansen has been in red-hot form in the United Rugby Championship, while versatile back Lowry has impressed for Ulster.

Munster fly-half Joey Carbery has been included, despite recently being sidelined by a fractured elbow, but Leinster wing James Lowe has been left out due to a muscular injury.

Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell has been recalled and in addition to the enforced absence of New Zealand-born Lowe, Leinster duo Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley, Munster wing Simon Zebo and Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey have been dropped. Secondrower Ultan Dillane has also been overlooked having decided to leave Connacht for an unnamed overseas club at the end of the season.

OWEN Farrell faces a race against time to prove his fitness for England’s opening match against Scotland. Farrell had been expected to make his comeback after two months out with an ankle injury in Saracens’ Challenge Cup clash with London Irish on Sunday, but he only resumed team training this week.

The 30-year-old has been retained as England captain with head coach Eddie Jones hoping he will lead the team out at Murrayfield, but there is still the possibility that he will enter the Six Nations without any game time in the bank.

“There’s going to be a late decision on Owen. This is the first week he’s done any team training. We’ve just got to see how he reacts to the training,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall, who names his starting XV on Friday lunchtime.