Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named a 33-man Six Nations squad that includes uncapped Leinster duo Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton.

Prop Healy and fly-half Sexton make their first Irish senior squad after having played for Ireland Schools, Ireland U20 and Leinster.

Munster prop Tony Buckley is named in a Six Nations squad for the first time while Leinster lock Leo Cullen returns after missing the cut for last year's World Cup.

Cullen is joined by in-form team-mates hooker Bernard Jackman and number eight Jamie Heaslip, both of whom also earn a recall.

Joining Sexton among the 15 backs are his Leinster team-mates Robert Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald, and Ulster's Tommy Bowe, all of whom have been added to the squad.

"This squad reflects the form of the players in the Heineken Cup and Magners League and I am excited to introduce some young blood into the mix for the Six Nations," said O'Sullivan (pictured).

"Some of the younger players have really put their hands up through their performances and have earned their spot in the squad. I think we have the balance right going into the championship.

"The Six Nations represents a great opportunity for the squad to get back to the standards we have achieved in the past."

Unavailable for selection are Munster lock Paul O'Connell, Ulster number eight Stephen Ferris and Belfast Harlequins prop Simon Best.

The Six Nations offers O'Sullivan the opportunity to get Ireland rugby back on track after a disastrous World Cup that saw them fail to make it past the group stage.

Ireland open their Six Nations account against Italy on February 3.

Forwards: Neil Best (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Connacht), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster) , Alan Quinlan (Munster), David Wallace (Munster).

Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).

Forwards: Neil Best (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Connacht), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster) , Alan Quinlan (Munster), David Wallace (Munster).

Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport