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Ultan Dillane.
FORMER Tralee RFC player Ultan Dillane has today been named in Joe Schmidt’s 35 man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
He is one of four uncapped players included in the squad where Rory Best takes on the captain’s role.
It’s been a meteoric rise for 22 year old Dillane, who has impressed hugely in the second row for Connaught over the past year and joined the Irish squad for preliminary training at the start of the month.
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French-born Dillane moved to his mother’s native Kerry when he was seven years old and played his club rugby with Tralee RFC before attracting the attention of Connacht Academy Manager Nigel Carolan after impressing for Ireland at both under-18 and under-19 level.
Standing at 6ft 6ins, his ball carrying, imposing physicality, and threat at the set piece are just some of his major attributes.
Having made his senior debut for Connacht just over a year ago against Leinster, he signed a two-year contract with the province last January.
Jamie Heaslip has been chosen as vice-captain of the Irish side who play their first game of the Six Nations against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on February 7.
