Eoin Reddan has been omitted from Declan Kidney's 27-man panel

Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan has been left out of Ireland's 27-man squad for the Six Nations opener against France at Croke Park on 7 February.

Munster's Tomas O'Leary, who was coach Declan Kidney's first choice for the autumn internationals, and Peter Stringer are named as scrum-halves.

Uncapped prop Tom Court has been included but his Ulster team-mate Andrew Trimble has not made the cut.

Kidney will announce his side to take on France in Dublin next Tuesday.

There are 13 backs and 14 forwards in the squad and Paddy Wallace is chosen as back-up fly-half to first choice Ronan O'Gara.

Court is one of just three props named in the squad so he is certain of at least a place on the replacements' bench.

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Australian-born Court can operate on either side of the scrum and his call-up is reward for a superb season under Ulster's new coaching regime led by Matt Williams.

Kidney will have a number of tight selection calls to make with Rob Kearney, Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey all in contention for the full-back role.

The Ireland coach may opt to start in-form Kearney at wing while Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Shane Horgan will also be hoping to earn starts on the attacking flanks.

Another issue will be whether Jerry Flannery or Rory Best is handed the hooker berth.

There is also plenty of competition for the back-row slots with David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip and Alan Quinlan all in contention.

Ireland A will play England Saxons at Donnybrook on Friday, 6 February and a 21-man squad has been named for that match, with one further addition to be made.

Kidney will announce his 22-man squad for the opening Six Nations clash on Tuesday.

Ireland squad:

Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Tomas O'Leary (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster).

Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), Tom Court (Ulster), John Hayes (Munster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), David Wallace (Munster).

Ireland A: Isaac Boss (Ulster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins), Ian Dowling (Munster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Ian Humphreys (Ulster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), John Andress (Exeter), Neil Best (Northampton), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Cian Healy (Leinster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster).

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