Ulster's McNabney handed 'huge opportunity' - Ferris

Former Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris says James McNabney has to relish the opportunity after his selection as a development player in Ireland's Six Nations squad.

The 21-year-old Ulster back row will travel to Portugal for the team's pre-tournament training camp before the opener against England on 1 February.

"It's an interesting selection because he certainly hasn't been Ulster's first-choice back row," said Ferris.

"He's very, very good with ball in hand. He's got a turn of pace. He's a big man as well. That's something that we've been crying out for in Ulster and of course with Ireland at times.

"It's a huge opportunity for him. He's got to go down there and relish it. You don't go down to the Irish camp and think you're a development player and just hide behind and not say too much. You want to absolutely get stuck in."

Uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle was named in Simon Easterby's squad, which was announced on Wednesday with a trio of Ulster players - Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu - making the 36-man panel.

"It's obviously very much the same familiar faces that we're all accustomed to, that have represented Ireland and their province as well over the last five or six seasons.

"And off the back of the teams that are playing really well, they've got a number of players in there. All in all, [I'm] very pleased, lots of experience, and a number of players obviously at the top of their game.

"I don't think there's anybody clear and obvious that has been left out, and you would say, they should be nailed on. I think somebody like Stuart McCloskey or Jude Postlethwaite are maybe unlucky with the centres."