Former Māori All Blacks halfback Jamison Gibson-Park is the latest New Zealander to earn a callup to the Irish rugby squad after being named in Andy Farrell's 35-man squad for the remainder of the Six Nations.
Gibson-Park who played Super Rugby for the Blues and Hurricanes before moving to Ireland, was one of six six uncapped players named by Farrell, along with Ryan Baird, Ed Byrne, Hugo Keenan, Will Connor and Shane Daly.
Fellow Kiwi James Lowe, who isn't eligible to play for the Irish until November, was named in a six man training squad.
The side will be captained by Johnny Sexton, while Tom O'Toole and Max Deegan miss out due to injuries.
"There has been a huge effort right across Irish Rugby to ensure that the professional game could return safely and that work is greatly appreciated by the national management," says Farrell.
"We have protocols in place to safeguard the welfare of the players and staff and are looking forward to completing the Six Nations Championships."
Ireland take on Italy at the Aviva Stadium on October 25 (NZ time) before concluding their Six Nations campaign against France in Paris the following week.
Farrell's side are fourth in the standings, four points behind England and France, who have both played an extra game.
Ireland: Bundee Aki, Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Ed Byrne, Ross Byrne, Will Connors, Jack Conan, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Caelan Doris, Chris Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Hugo Keenan, Ronan Kelleher, Jordan Larmour, Kieran Marmion, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Quinn Roux, James Ryan, John Ryan, Jonathan Sexton (c), CJ Stander, Jacob Stockdale, Josh van der Flier
Reuters
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