Simon Easterby welcomes return of Leinster quartet for Six Nations title defence

 

Interim head coach Simon Easterby believes the availability of Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jack Conan and Jimmy O’Brien “massively increases” Ireland’s competitiveness ahead of their latest Guinness Six Nations title defence.

Easterby is bidding to lead Ireland to an unprecedented third consecutive championship triumph after Andy Farrell temporarily stepped aside to focus on the British and Irish Lions’ upcoming tour of Australia.

 

First-choice hooker Sheehan has not played since damaging an anterior cruciate ligament during last summer’s tour of South Africa, while number eight Conan and versatile back O’Brien also missed an inconsistent autumn series – which ultimately brought three wins from four – due to injury.

 

Tighthead prop Furlong was selected for that campaign but unable to feature in the defeat to New Zealand and subsequent victories over Argentina, Fiji and Australia because of a hamstring issue.

The Leinster quartet were on Wednesday named in Easterby’s 36-man Six Nations squad, alongside uncapped provincial team-mate Jack Boyle.