Rory Best takes over Ireland captaincy

Rory Best has been appointed captain for Ireland's first Six Nations clash against Wales on February 7.

The 33-year-old has taken over the responsibility from Paul O'Connell, who retired from international rugby after the most recent World Cup.

Jamie Heaslip will act as the vice-skipper to a squad that has seen CJ Stander, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and Stuart McCloskey receive their first ever call-ups.

However, there was no room in Joe Schmidt's 35-man selection for Cian Healy or Mike Ross.

Ireland squad to face Wales:

Forwards

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster), Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster), Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster), Stuart McCloskey (McCloskey/Ulster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)