Irish Rugby

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Fit-again back row Juarno Augustus is available for Ulster's refixed United Rugby Championship game against Edinburgh on Friday (19:45 GMT).

The South African, who joined Ulster from Northampton last summer, has been sidelined since December with an ankle injury.

Ulster also expect Matthew Dalton to be available for selection with the versatile forward completing graduated return to play protocols after sustaining a concussion against Ospreys on 28 February.

However, hooker John Andrew has been ruled out after suffering a concussion in training last week.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy can also call upon Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward following their return from Ireland camp.

Edinburgh and Ulster were originally due to meet at Hive Stadium on 3 October but the game was postponed because of Storm Amy.

Ulster are sixth in the URC table, nine points off leaders Glasgow, while Edinburgh are 12th.

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Uncapped loose-head prop Billy Bohan has rejoined the Ireland squad before Saturday's Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland (14:10 GMT), with Jeremy Loughman ruled out.

Loughman started Ireland's first three games but missed Friday night's win over Wales, with Tom O'Toole - normally a tight-head - stepping in.

Connacht's Bohan, 20, was added to the Ireland squad before the opening game against France as a replacement for the injured Jack Boyle.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is especially short at loose-head with Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy also unavailable.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) also said uncapped Munster back row Brian Gleeson will train with the squad this week before Saturday's game at Aviva Stadium.

Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward have been released back to Ulster for the province's rescheduled United Rugby Championship game away to Edinburgh on Friday (19:45 GMT).

Earlier on Monday, Scotland's first-choice second-row pair Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings were ruled out.

Winger Duhan van der Merwe, fly-half Adam Hastings and props Elliot Millar Mills and Nathan McBeth will also miss the trip to Dublin.

Farrell will name his Ireland team to face Scotland on Thursday afternoon.

Ireland will win the Six Nations title if they beat Scotland and England shock France in Paris.

An Irish win would also clinch a fourth Triple Crown in the past five years and deny Scotland - who are also chasing the championship - their first since 1990.

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Ulster forward David McCann and back Jake Flannery have both signed new deals with the province.

McCann had signed a new two-year contract which ties him down to the province until 2028 while Flannery has penned a one-year extension until 2027.

Back row McCann has featured in every United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup game for Richie Murphy's side this season, starting 13 of their 15 fixtures.

Ulster's 2023-24 player of the year, the 25-year-old also featured for Ireland A in the emphatic win over Spain in November but is yet to make his debut for the senior international side.

"I am pleased to be continuing at Ulster, the team has shown this season the journey we are on and I feel proud to be a part of that," said the former Ireland under-20 captain, who made his Ulster debut in 2020.

"I want to push myself to play at the highest level, be successful doing this and Ulster is a great place to achieve those goals."

Versatile Flannery, who can operate at fly-half, centre and full-back, joined Ulster from Munster in 2022 and has made over 30 appearances for the province.

'I'm happy to be signing on for another season with Ulster. I feel I am progressing and enjoying a run of fitness after a challenging season last year," he said.

"Our team is playing with more confidence, and the attack has been really clicking, which is fun to be a part of. We are a close group and I'm very motivated to play my part in chasing success in the future.''

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Ireland will bookend the 2027 Six Nations with late kick-offs against England and France in Dublin either side of three successive away games.

Having opened this year's tournament with a late Friday game against France in Paris, Ireland will host England in Dublin in next year's Friday curtain-raiser on 5 February.

Ireland then travel to Italy, Wales and Scotland before concluding the championship at home to France in the final game on 13 March.

In addition to the England and France fixtures, Ireland's match against Scotland at Murrayfield will be a late kick-off.

2027 Six Nations fixtures (times GMT)

Round 1

Ireland v England - Friday 5 February (20:10)

Scotland v Italy - Saturday 6 February (14:10)

France v Wales - Saturday 6 February (16:40)

Round 2

Italy v Ireland - Saturday 13 February (14:10)

Scotland v Wales - Saturday 13 February (16:40)

England v France - Sunday 14 February (15:10)

Round 3

Wales v Ireland - Saturday 20 February (14:10)

England v Italy - Saturday 20 February (16:40)

France v Scotland - Sunday 21 February (15:10)

Round 4

Scotland v Ireland - Friday 5 March (20:10)

Italy v France - Saturday 6 March (14:10)

Wales v England - Saturday 6 March (16:40)

Round 5

Italy v Wales - Saturday 13 March (14:10)

England v Scotland - Saturday 13 March (16:40)

Ireland v France - Saturday 13 March (20:10)