'It's a shame' - Brian O'Driscoll disappointed at Garry Ringrose's Six Nations omission
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named the 35-man squad he will use to try and seal a third RBS Six Nations title in a row but one player's omission is raising eyebrows.
The fact that 20-year-old Garry Ringrose has failed to make the cut will leave some fans feeling bemused.
The Blackrock native has been in scintillating form for Leinster this season and has been endorsed by Ireland's greatest ever number 13, Brian O'Driscoll.
BOD tweeted today: "Congrats @RoryBest2 on captaincy. Well deserved. Good squad. No POC & Hendy = light in the row! Shame no Garry Ringrose."
Congrats @RoryBest2 on captaincy. Well deserved. Good squad. No POC & Hendy = light in the row! Shame no Garry Ringrose.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 20, 2016Former Ireland flyhalf Tony Ward wrote that, on form, Ringrose should partner Ulster's Stuart McCloskey in the centre against the Welsh on February 7 but only one of the pair has made the cut.
Schmidt said: "There are a few new faces but at the same time we have resisted the temptation to include some of the very promising youngsters, allowing them a bit more time to develop as well as the opportunity of further game time with their provinces."
Here was some of the reaction to Ringrose's exclusion on social media:
Amazed Ireland being so cautious with in form Garry ringrose. Class act. Better than handre pollard at 2014 JWC and he now has 20 boks caps!
— Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) January 20, 2016@Shaw504 not Garry Ringrose....
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 20, 2016Garry Ringrose not in Ireland's 35 man squad for the Six Nations, disappointed with that
— Kieran Farmer (@kieranceltic) January 20, 2016Shame Garry Ringrose isn’t in the Ireland squad. Tore up trees for the U20s last year, doing the same for Leinster this #futurestar
— Fifteen Rugby (@FifteenRugbyXV) January 20, 2016No Garry Ringrose in Ireland squad. Without being bullish, if he was Welsh he'd make squad. No such thing as too young, is there?
— Laura-Jane Jones (@MissLJJ) January 20, 2016Shocked @IrishRugby have left out young starlet Garry Ringrose from 6N. Boy is a serious talent. You were right though @FinMorrison.
— Kris Gilmartin (@Kris_Gilmartin) January 20, 2016No Garry ringrose in the six nations squad
— Sam Coogan (@samcoogan10) January 20, 2016Surprised Garry Ringrose wasn't included.
— Carol Louise (@Carol_xox) January 20, 2016Online Editors
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