A muscle injury suffered at Leinster training yesterday has deprived Andy Farrell of winger James Lowe for the opening weeks of the Six Nations.
Lowe had returned to top form in Ireland's November series clean sweep and came off the bench for Leinster in their record-breaking Champions Cup victory over Montpellier last Sunday.
But, with Farrell having to do without the Kiwi and choosing not to select Simon Zebo, who has seen very little game time for Munster since October, there is room for the uncapped Michael Lowry (Ulster) and Mack Hansen (Connacht) among the backs selected in a 37-strong championship squad.
