Former Bulls No 8 CJ Stander has been named in Ireland’s 35-man Six Nations squad.

Stander has been a star performer for Munster since leaving Pretoria in 2012, and is now set to make his international debut with Ireland after qualifying to play for his adopted country.

On Wednesday Ireland coach Joe Schmidt named Ulster hooker Rory Best as the new captain, while Stander is one of four uncapped players in the squad. The others are Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and Stuart McCloskey.

Ireland Six Nations squad:

Forwards: Rory Best, Sean Cronin , James Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Herring, Mike McCarthy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Sean O'Brien, Tommy O'Donnell, Rhys Ruddock, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier, Nathan White.
Backs: Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Paddy Jackson, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jared Payne, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo.

Photo: Independent Sport/Inpho Photography