Six Nations LIVE: England and Ireland announce squads and new captains ahead of tournament

Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell revealed their squads after the drama surrounding Wales and Louis Rees-Zammit’s stunning move to quit rugby for the NFL

Gatland aware of Rees-Zammit’s NFL switch only ‘an hour’ before Wales squad announcement

The countdown to the 2024 edition of the Six Nations continued after the shock news that Wales have lost star Louis Rees-Zammit as he pursues a career in the NFL.

Earlier in the day, England named their squad, with Jamie George replacing Owen Farrell as captain after the fly half took a break from international rugby to prioritise his mental wellbeing. Borthwick’s selection for the tournament includes a number of eye-catching potential debutants, including Exeter pair Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots.

Then it was the turn of Ireland, with Andy Farrell selecting Peter O’Mahony as his new captain to replace the retiring Johnny Sexton. Head coach Farrell’s 34-man selection does not include any uncapped players. However, there are recalls for Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Jordan Larmour, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, and Munster wing Calvin Nash.

Follow all the reaction to both squad announcements below:

England and Ireland Six Nations squad announcements - live updates

• Jamie George to lead England as Six Nations squad revealed
• Andy Farrell selects Peter O’Mahony as Ireland captain for Six Nations
• Wales and Scotland named their squads yesterday for next month’s Six Nations
• The 2024 Six Nations gets underway on 2 February with France v Ireland

[17 January 2024 16:30 · Ben Fleming]

That’s all for today

That brings to an end today’s coverage of the men’s Six Nations squad announcements. Plenty of talking points and two new faces to lead both England and Ireland into next month’s tournament.

Thanks for tuning in - until next time!

[17 January 2024 16:19 · Ben Fleming]

Inside the Ireland squad

Farrell’s 34-man selection does not include any uncapped players, unlike Borthwick who named seven in his England squad.

However, there are recalls for Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Jordan Larmour, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, and Munster wing Calvin Nash.

In the absence of Sexton, Farrell has named Jack Crowley, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley as his three fly-halves, with all three having just 12 caps between them. Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne misses out having just undergone arm surgery.

Uncapped Munster pair Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern will join the squad as training panelists, in addition to Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast, who is also yet to feature at senior level.

(PA Wire)

[17 January 2024 16:05 · Ben Fleming]

Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures

Round 1: France vs Ireland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille) - Friday 2 February, 8pm GMT

Round 2: Ireland vs Italy (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) - Sunday 11 February, 3pm GMT

Round 3: Ireland vs Wales (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) - Saturday 24 February, 2.15pm GMT

Round 4: England vs Ireland (Twickenham, London) - Saturday 9 March, 4.45pm GMT

Round 5: Ireland vs Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) - Saturday 16 March, 4.45pm GMT

[17 January 2024 15:55 · Ben Fleming]

Andy Farrell selects Peter O’Mahony as Ireland captain for Six Nations

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has selected Peter O’Mahony as captain for the Guinness Six Nations.

Munster flanker O’Mahony takes on the role from Johnny Sexton, who retired following last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in Paris.

The 34-year-old, who first skippered Ireland in a 15-12 win over the United States in June 2013, has won 101 Test caps for his country, plus one for the British and Irish Lions.

[17 January 2024 15:48 · Ben Fleming]

More from Farrell

“The forthcoming Men’s Guinness Six Nations presents an opportunity for us to grow and develop. The Six Nations is one of the biggest stages in world rugby and this year’s competition will be keenly fought.

“I am pleased with the quality of performances by the extended group over the last number of weeks and believe that the squad is in good shape. I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected, especially those who are at the beginning of their international journeys.

“It doesn’t get much tougher than France away in the opening weekend, but it is a challenge that we will approach in a positive frame of mind.”

[17 January 2024 15:42 · Ben Fleming]

O’Mahony named new Ireland captain

It wasn’t just England looking for a new captain as Jonny Sexton’s post-World Cup retirement left Ireland also looking for a new skipper.

And Andy Farrell has gone with the experienced back-rower Peter O’Mahony who has 101 caps to his name.

On the appointment, Farrel said: “He is a born leader and someone who has been an influential figure for Munster and Ireland for many years. I am confident that the squad will continue to benefit from his leadership skills, both on and off the field.

“He is thoroughly deserving of this honour, and I know that he will relish working closely with the wider leadership group and squad over the coming campaign. I would like to congratulate him and his family at this special time.”

(Getty Images)

[17 January 2024 15:36 · Ben Fleming]

Ireland squad in full

And here are the backs:

Backs:

Bundee Aki (Connacht, 52 caps)

Harry Byrne (Leinster, 2 caps)

Craig Casey (Munster, 13 caps)

Jack Crowley (Munster, 9 caps)

Ciaran Frawley (Leinster, 1 cap)

Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster, caps)

Robbie Henshaw (Leinster, 62 caps)

Hugo Keenan (Leinster, 36 caps)

Jordan Larmour (Leinster, 30 caps)

James Lowe (Leinster, 26 caps)

Stuart McCloskey (Ulster, 15 caps)

Conor Murray (Munster, 112 caps)

Calvin Nash (Munster, 1 cap)

Garry Ringrose (Leinster, 57 caps)

Jacob Stockdale (Ulster, 37 caps)

[17 January 2024 15:29 · Ben Fleming]

Ireland squad in full

And here is the squad in full. First, the forwards:

Fowards:

Ryan Baird (Leinster, 15 caps)

Finlay Bealham (Connacht, 36 caps)

Tadhg Beirne (Munster, 46 caps)

Jack Conan (Leinster, 41 caps)

Caelan Doris (Leinster, 36 caps)

Tadhg Furlong (Leinster, 72 caps)

Cian Healy (Leinster, 125 caps)

Iain Henderson (Ulster, 79 caps)

Ronan Kelleher (Leinster, 26 caps)

Jeremy Loughman (Munster, 4 caps)

Joe McCarthy (Leinster, 5 caps)

Peter O’Mahony (Munster, 101 caps)

Tom O’Toole (Ulster, 12 caps)

Andrew Porter (Leinster, 59 caps)

James Ryan (Leinster, 59 caps)

Dan Sheehan (Leinster, 21 caps)

Tom Stewart (Ulster, 2 caps)

Nick Timoney (Ulster, 3 caps)

Josh van der Flier (Leinster, 57 caps)

[17 January 2024 15:25 · Ben Fleming]

Ireland announce their squad

We’ve had England’s earlier in the day but now it is the turn of Ireland. Here is their squad for the men’s Six Nations:

[17 January 2024 13:45 · Ben Fleming]

Warren Gatland unsure if ‘freak’ Louis Rees-Zammit can crack NFL: ‘Good luck to him’

Wales boss Warren Gatland admits he has “no idea” if Louis Rees-Zammit will play rugby union again following his switch to American football.

While Wales prepare for a Six Nations opener against Scotland, Rees-Zammit will be concentrating on the NFL’s International Player Pathway in the hope of forging a gridiron career.

His move to the United States with immediate effect has left Wales and his club Gloucester without a box-office wing, whose try-scoring ability thrilled crowds on domestic, European and international stages.

Rees-Zammit’s rugby union career comes to a halt after winning 32 Wales caps and a World Cup campaign in France when he scored five tries.

Asked if the 22-year-old would come back to rugby one day, Gatland said: “No idea. There aren’t a lot of people who make it in the NFL who haven’t been brought up with the game and played it at a young age.