Issued on behalf of The Irish Rugby Football Union

Following Saturdays opening win in the RBS 6 Nations Championship over Italy, 11 additional players have been added to the match 22 that was on duty in Croke Park as the squad prepare for next Saturday's game against France.

Both Stephen Ferris and Donncha O'Callaghan are among those additions as both players continue their rehabilitation from leg and knee injuries that ruled them out of the Italy game.

On other injury news, Paul O'Connell came off during the Italy game after receiving a blow above the left eye in the second half but is expected to resume training this week. Andrew Trimble also came off in the second half with a tight hamstring and while he is a concern ahead of selection for the France game, he will be monitored over the next 24 hours to see how he recovers. Ronan O'Gara received a blow to his right knee and was withdrawn as a precaution and will also be monitored over the next 24 hours.

None of the players have been ruled out of selection at this point for the team to play France which will be announced on Tuesday.

Ireland Squad (in addition to Italy match 22):
Tony Buckley
Gavin Duffy
Stephen Ferris
Chris Henry
Marcus Horan
Denis Hurley
Shane Jennings
Johne Murphy
Donncha O'Callaghan
Jonathan Sexton
Dan Tuohy


All media queries should be forwarded to:
Karl Richardson
IRFU Communications and Media Manager
T: +353 (0) 86 6477874
E: Karl.richardson@irfu.ie

Team Hotel:
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel,
Killiney,
Co. Dublin
Rest and Recovery

Monday, 8th February
11.00
Media Interviews: Selected players/coach available for group interviews. Please confirm attendance to Team Communications Manager.
Venue: Team Hotel

14.30
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

Tuesday, 9th February
9.45
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Media Conference: Team Announcements for France v Ireland
Venue: Team Hotel
13.30: Head coach and Captain at top table. First 5 Minutes open to broadcast media.
13.35: Broadcast section closes. Written media briefing begins.
13.50: Written briefing ends. Head coach & captain available for 4 TV interviews and 1 group radio.
13.50: Selected players available for interview. Please forward any player interview requests 24 hours in advance.
14.35: Media conference and access closes

Wednesday, 10th February
Down Day

Thursday, 11th February
10.00
Training
Closed session

12.30
Media Conference: Ireland Coaching staff at top table
Venue: Team Hotel

15.30
Travel Day: Ireland team transfer Dublin to France (Le Bourget)
Flight RE 4012
Vision access only (no interview available) at Dublin and Le Bourget Airport at 17.30hrs. Transfer to team hotel

Team Hotel:
Hilton Arc de Triomphe
51-57 Rue de Courcelles
Paris
France 75008

Friday, 12th February
11.00 (TBC)
Ireland Captains Run
Stade de France (TBC)
Vision access for first 10 minutes

12.00 (TBC)
Media Conference: Head Coach and Captain/player at top table
Venue: Stade de France (TBC)

Saturday, 13th February
17.30
France v Ireland
Stade de France
Post Match Media Conference - Coach, Captain and Assistant Coach. Selected players available for mixed zone interviews following media conference

Sunday, 14th February
Travel Day: Ireland team transfer Paris to Dublin
Flight RE 4406
Squad Disperse

Monday, 15th February
Down Day

Tuesday, 16th February
Down Day

Wednesday, 17th February
Team Hotel:
Jury's Hotel
Western Road
Cork
Squad Assemble in Cork

14.30
Training
PBC Cork
Vision Access for first 15 minutes

Thursday, 18th February
10.00
Training
PBC Cork
Vision Access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Media Conference: Members of Ireland management at top table and 2 players
Venue: Team Hotel. Sunday preview interview requests Ireland v England accepted. Squad disperse

Friday, 19th February
Down Day

Saturday, 20th February
Down Day

Sunday, 21st February
Team Hotel:
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel,
Killiney,
Co. Dublin,
Squad Assemble in Dublin

Monday, 22nd February
10.00
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Snap Interviews: Selected players and coach available for snap group interviews. Please confirm attendance to Team Communications Manager
Venue: Team Hotel

Tuesday, 23rd February
10.00
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Media Conference: Team Announcements for England v Ireland
Venue: Team Hotel
13.30: Head coach and Captain at top table. First 5 Minutes open to broadcast media.
13.35: Broadcast section closes. Written media briefing begins.
13.50: Written briefing ends. Head coach & captain available for 4 TV interviews and 1 group radio.
13.50: Selected players available for interview. Please forward any player interview requests 24 hours in advance.
14.35: Media conference and access closes

Wednesday, 24th February
Down Day

Thursday, 25th February
10.00
Training
Closed session

12.30
Media Conference: Ireland Coaching staff at top table
Venue: Team Hotel

16.30
Travel Day: Ireland team transfer Dublin to London (Heathrow)
Flight EI 174
Vision access only (no interview available) at Dublin and Heathrow Airport at 17.50hrs
Transfer to team hotel
Team Hotel:
Cheswick Hotel
626 Chiswick High Road,
Chiwick,
London
W4 5RY

Friday, 26th February
13.30 (TBC)
Ireland Captains Run
Twickenham (TBC)
Vision access for first 10 minutes

14.30 (TBC)
Media Conference: Head Coach and Captain/player at top table
Venue: Twickenham (TBC)

Saturday, 27th February
16.00
England v Ireland
Twickenham
Post Match Media Conference - Coach, Captain and Assistant Coach. Selected players available for mixed zone interviews following media conference

Sunday, 28th February
Squad disperse and Down Day

Monday, 1st March
Down Day

Tuesday, 2nd March
Down Day

Wednesday, 3rd March
Team Hotel:
Jury's Hotel
Western Road
Cork
Squad Assemble in Cork

14.30
Training
PBC Cork
Vision Access for first 15 minutes

Thursday, 4th March
10.00
Training
PBC Cork
Vision Access for first 15 minutes
13.30
Media Conference: Members of Ireland management at top table and 2 players
Venue: Team Hotel. Sunday preview Iinterview requests Ireland v Wales accepted.
Squad Disperse.

Friday, 5th March
Down Day

Saturday, 6th March
Down Day

Sunday, 7th March
Team Hotel:
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel,
Killiney,
Co. Dublin
Squad assemble in Dublin

Monday, 8th March
10.00
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Snap Interviews: Selected players and coach available for snap group interviews. Please confirm attendance to Team Communications Manager.
Venue: Team Hotel

Tuesday, 9th March
9.45
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Media Conference: Team Announcements for Ireland v Wales
Venue: Team Hotel
13.30: Head coach and Captain at top table. First 5 Minutes open to broadcast media.
13.35: Broadcast section closes. Written media briefing begins.
13.50: Written briefing ends. Head coach & captain available for 4 TV interviews and 1 group radio.
13.50: Selected players available for interview. Please forward any player interview requests 24 hours in advance.
14.35: Media conference and access closes

Wednesday, 10th March
Down Day

Thursday, 11th March
Team Hotel:
Shelbourne Hotel
27 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin
Squad assemble in Dublin

10.00
Training
Closed session

13.00
Media Conference: Ireland coaching staff at top table
Venue: Team Hotel

Friday, 12th February
11.15
Ireland Captains Run
Croke Park
Vision access for first 10 minutes

12.15
Media Conference: Head Coach and Captain/player at top table
Venue: Jury's Croke Park Hotel

Saturday, 13th March
14.30
Ireland v Wales
Croke Park
Post Match Media Conferences 30 and 45 minutes after final whistle
Ireland Coach and Captain
Selected players available for mixed zone interviews following media conference.

Sunday, 14th March
Down Day

Monday, 15th March
Team Hotel:
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel,
Killiney,
Co. Dublin.

10.00
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Snap Interviews: Selected players and coach available for snap group interviews. Please confirm attendance to Team Communications Manager.
Venue: Team Hotel

Tuesday, 16th March
10.00
Training
RDS (Please confirm attendance in advance to Communications Manager)
Vision access for first 15 minutes

13.30
Media Conference: Team Announcements for Ireland v Scotland
Venue: Team Hotel
13.30: Head coach and Captain at top table. First 5 Minutes open to broadcast media.
13.35: Broadcast section closes. Written media briefing begins.
13.50: Written briefing ends. Head coach & captain available for 4 TV interviews and 1 group radio.
13.50: Selected players available for interview. Please forward any player interview requests 24 hours in advance.
14.35: Media conference and access closes

Wednesday, 17th March
Down Day

Thursday, 18th March
10.00
Training
Closed Session

13.00
Media Conference: Ireland Coaching staff at top table
Venue: Team Hotel

Friday, 19th February
11.15
Ireland Captains Run
Croke Park
Vision access for first 10 minutes

12.15
Media Conference: Head Coach and Captain/player at top table
Venue: Jury's Croke Park Hotel

Saturday, 20th March
17.00
Ireland v Scotland
Croke Park
Post Match Media Conferences 30 and 45 minutes after final whistle
Ireland Coach and Captain. Selected players available for mixed zone interviews following media conference.