Beyond the main squad, Easterby will get a closer look at Hugh Cooney (Leinster), Cathal Forde (Connacht), James McNabney (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht) after including them as development players.
Back row McNabney has been one of the bright sparks of a gloomy Ulster season, fellow Under-20 Grand Slam winner Cooney shone during the recent Emerging Ireland series in South Africa and Forde has started the season well for Connacht.
And then there is Ben Murphy, who is perhaps unlucky to have been overlooked for the main squad. Murphy, the son of Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, has starred for Connacht after leaving Leinster last summer with seven tries in 10 appearances, including a hat-trick against Lyon in the Challenge Cup last weekend.
It seemed as though Craig Casey’s injury had opened a door for Murphy, but he was edged out by Connacht team-mate Caolin Blade, whose involvement in last summer’s series in South Africa has seemingly swayed the call in the 30-year-old’s favour.
Many within Irish rugby circles will also spare a thought for Tom Ahern after he was overlooked despite having stood out during a turbulent season for Munster.
It is more pain for the 24-year-old forward was replaced by Cian Prendergast in last year’s Six Nations training squad after suffering a head injury while playing for Munster.
Ulster’s Nick Timoney is also unfortunate to miss out. A consistent performer for the Belfast-based club, it will deepen the 29-year-old’s frustrations after failing to make a matchday squad during the autumn Tests.
