TRIED AND TESTED

No major surprises sprung by Farrell for Six Nations openers as speculation on a changing of old guard proves to be unfounded

- BY DEREK FOLEY

TOMMY GUN Tommy O'Brien has been this year's breakthrough star

ANDY FARRELL has taken a conservative approach to squad selection ahead of the opening three Six Nations games against France, Italy and England.

His 37-strong panel, preparing for warm weather training in the Algarve, contains just two uncapped players.

The inclusion of Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne - with Ciaran Frawley also traveling - sheds little light on who will play No.10.

Otherwise, speculation that a number of the thirty somethings were going to be part of clearout proved unsupported. Bundee Aki, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham, Jack Conan, James Lowe, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson-Park - all representing the 33 years of age-plus group - are present.

Indeed, Ireland are likely to have just three players under the age of 25 in contention for the starting XV in France, Sam Prendergast, Joe McCarthy and Jack Boyle who would be deputising for the 30 year-old Andrew Porter.

Still one of those involved will be the lightly-raced Tommy O'Brien, very much the breakthrough player of the last 12 months and who started all four November internationals.

He was not in the Algarve this time last year and the 27 year-old will be making his Six Nations debut when, almost certainly, starting in two weeks’ time.

The inclusion of Hugo Keenan may prove a massive plus given the last minute withdrawal of Jimmy O'Brien, following picking up a hamstring injury against Bayonne, and who had looked set to fill the No.15 shirt in Paris.