Stuart McCloskey is a late call-up to the Ireland Six Nations squad that will travel to Portugal tomorrow for a pre-championship training camp.
The Ulster centre was unlucky not to make Andy Farrell's 35-man panel that was announced last week after displaying outstanding form in the Champions Cup pool stages.
But with Keith Earls missing Munster's final pool game against Ospreys last weekend, confirmation today from Leinster that Jordan Larmour has picked up a minor foot injury and the proximity to the Six Nations opener at home to Scotland on Saturday week, new Ireland boss Farrell is taking no chances.
"Stu has been playing well over the past few weeks and played well again at the weekend," said Farrell.
"Centre is a very competitive area in the squad and with a few backs picking up small niggles at the weekend, Stu is the form back who will now be added to the group to give us some extra options."
McCloskey, 27, has only three Test caps to his name - he made his debut against England in the 2016 Six Nations defeat, and his last appearance was against the USA in the 2018 November series.
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