FERGUS MCFADDEN IS the biggest omission as Joe Schmidt named a 38-man squad for Ireland’s opening two rounds of the 6 Nations this evening.

The versatile Leinster back picked up a rib injury during the Ireland Wolfhounds’ loss to the England Saxons on Friday night and will miss the games with Italy and France, as will Craig Gilroy who must observe return to play protocols after suffering an eye injury and concussion late in the game in Musgrave Park.

However, Schmidt has decided that Mike McCarthy, who also suffered a concussion, will complete his return to play protocols with the squad.

Noel Reid, Jack Conan, Michael Bent, Rob Herring and Eoin McKeon are the others to miss out from the original 45-man squad.

“Jack Conan and Michael Bent did well against the Saxons but will return to Leinster, as will Noel Reid who was restricted to a brief cameo as he was covering a number of positions,” said Schmidt when announcing the slightly trimmed squad.

“Rob Herring returns to Ulster and will look forward to having an opportunity for further game time. Fergus McFadden has a rib cartilage injury, while Craig Gilroy will follow the return to play protocols after a concussion in the Wolfhounds game.”

The squad in full:

FORWARDS (20)

Rory Best (Ulster), James Cronin (Munster), Seán Cronin (Leinster), Robbie Diack (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Seán O’Brien (Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Dominic Ryan (Leinster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht)*

BACKS (18)

Isaac Boss (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Simon Zebo (Munster).