Six Nations 2023: Jacob Stockdale in Ireland squad with Joey Carbery missing out

Joey Carbery (left) and Jacob Stockdale (right) in action for Ireland in 2019Getty Images

Jacob Stockdale (right) is named in Ireland's Six Nations squad but Joey Carbery (left) misses out

Ulster's Jacob Stockdale has been named in Ireland's 37-man Six Nations squad with Munster fly-half Joey Carbery a notable absentee.

Stockdale joins Stuart McCloskey, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole as the Ulster inclusions with Nick Timoney and Michael Lowry missing out.

Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley are named as the fly-half back-up to Johnny Sexton.

Leinster back Jamie Osborne is the only uncapped player in the squad.

Robert Baloucoune missed Ulster's game last weekend against La Rochelle because of a hamstring injury and his absence appears to have opened the door to club-mate Stockdale returning to the Ireland squad.

Wing Stockdale, who was Six Nations player of the tournament in 2018, has not featured for Ireland since the summer Test against Japan in July 2021, although he was ruled out for nearly all last season because of injury.

Henderson is included despite being unavailable for Ulster's European game against Sale this weekend because of concussion but Timoney and Lowry miss out along with their other club-mates Kieran Treadwell and James Hume amid the northern province's recent poor run.

As expected, skipper Sexton and Leinster colleague Tadhg Furlong are both included despite their recent injuries while Munster veterans Conor Murray and Keith Earls are also named in the squad.

Sexton was a last-minute withdrawal from Ireland's final Autumn Test against Australia when Munster youngster Crowley was handed the number 10 jersey before Byrne kicked the late winning penalty after coming on as a replacement.

Carbery was expected to return to the squad for the Six Nations but Ireland coach Andy Farrell has opted to keep faith with Crowley and Byrne.

With Robbie Henshaw still unavailable following wrist surgery, Ulster's McCloskey will battle with Connacht's British and Irish Lion Bundee Aki for the inside centre role.

Farrell said that those who didn't make the squad for the Wales opener in Cardiff on 4 February will have chances to state their case for the remaining matches in the tournament.

"While there are a few players carrying knocks and others that have missed out on selection for the start of the tournament, they will have the opportunity to push their case playing for their provinces in the URC over the coming weeks as no doubt we will need to call upon the wider group as the tournament progresses," said the Ireland coach.

"The Six Nations is a huge competition for us and another opportunity for us to grow as group."

Ireland, who finished second in 2022, go into the Six Nations ranked as the world number one side.

Ireland squad

Backs (17): Aki (Connacht), R Byrne (Leinster), Casey (Munster), Crowley (Munster), Earls (Munster), Gibson-Park (Leinster), Keenan (Leinster), Larmour (Leinster), Lowe (Leinster), McCloskey (Ulster), Murray (Munster), O'Brien (Leinster), Osborne (Leinster), Ringrose (Leinster), Sexton (Leinster), Stockdale (Ulster)

Forwards (20): Baird (Leinster), Bealham (Connacht), Beirne (Munster), Conan (Leinster), Coombes (Munster), Doris (Leinster), Furlong (Leinster), Healy (Leinster), Henderson (Ulster), Herring (Ulster), Kelleher (Leinster), Kilcoyne (Munster), McCarthy (Leinster), O'Mahony (Munster), O'Toole (Ulster), Porter (Leinster), Prendergast (Connacht), Ryan (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), Van der Flier (Leinster)