By Nick PurewallWill Addison has moved a step closer to his Test debut by being named in an unfamiliar 26-man Ireland squad to face Italy. Former England Under-20s star Addison could now well make his senior international bow in the clash at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday. Leinster playmaker Ross Byrne has also edged closer to his Test bow in making the Chicago squad, with Joey Carbery possibly pencilled in to start at fly-half. Addison left Sale for Ulster in the summer and has since earned rave reviews for a string of fine performances with the Belfast province. Backs: W Addison (Ulster), B Aki (Connacht), R Byrne (Leinster), J Carbery, A Conway (both Munster), J Cooney (Ulster), J Larmour, L McGrath, G Ringrose (all Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster), D Sweetnam (Munster).

Source: Irish Examiner October 30, 2018 04:18 UTC