IRELAND BEGIN THEIR Six Nations title defence with a trip to Rome on 7 February.

Today, Joe Schmidt ran the rule over his extended panel ahead of the championship kick-off. Here’s how they looked.

Head coach Schmidt with Jonathan Sexton before the session at Carton house

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The Cork contingent of Simon Zebo and Peter O’Mahony arrive at the Maynooth venue

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Forwards coach Simon Easterby puts the players through their paces

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Sean O’Brien back on the playing pitch

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Ian Madigan is gunning for a starting place against Italy

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This could well be Paul O’Connell’s final Six Nations championship

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Mike McCarthy isn’t feeling the cold

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Devin Toner stretches it out

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Sean Cronin concentrating really hard on his darts

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Veteran campaigner Gordon Darcy

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More to follow

Niamh Briggs has been named the new Ireland Women captain

Joe Schmidt is not the only coach with Six Nations injury problems