Andy Farrell has named the Irish squad for this summer's tour of South Africa. Ireland will face the World Cup champions in a two-test series this July.]
Farrell has made a number of interesting calls as Ireland look to rebuild some momentum after a disappointing end to the provincial season.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
Ireland Squad for South Africa Tour
Many fans see this tour as an opportunity to blood young up-and-coming players which is why it's fantastic to see Cormac Izuchukwu, Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast included in the team.
Farrell will only bring two traditional outhalves, and has opted for Prendergast with Ciarán Frawley able to provide cover.
There's some big absences however.
Jamison Gibson-Park who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Connacht's Caolin Blade his call up in his place.
Jack Conan has chosen not to take part in this years summer tour as he and his wife expect their first child. Sam Prendergast's brother Cian has earned a call-up in his place.
Forwards:
Ryan Baird
Finlay Bealham
Tadhg Beirne
Caelan Doris
Tadhg Furlong
Cian Healy
Rob Herring
Cormac Izuchukwu *
Oli Jager
Ronan Kelleher
Joe McCarthy
Peter O’Mahony
Tom O’Toole
Andrew Porter
Cian Prendergast
James Ryan
Dan Sheehan
Nick Timoney
Josh van der Flier
Backs:
Bundee Aki
Caolin Blade
Craig Casey
Jack Crowley
Ciaran Frawley
Robbie Henshaw
Jordan Larmour
James Lowe
Stuart McCloskey
Conor Murray
Calvin Nash
Jimmy O’Brien
Jamie Osborne
Sam Prendergast
Garry Ringrose
Jacob Stockdale
*uncapped players
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Ireland v South Africa Fixtures
The two game series is set to be an exciting one, with huge anticipation accumulating over the past few weeks, with the current world champions hoping to end any question that Ireland might be the better side.
Current Springboks Eben Etzebth and Damian De Allende have been stoking the fire, calling out the Irish media and players for disrespecting them pre and post world cup. Cheslin Kolbe recently weighed in on the matter, setting the challenge for the Irish come July, "There's been a lot of talk about Ireland deserving to win the World Cup. We'll see in July."
The first test will take place in Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria on the 6th of July with the series decider taking place a week later at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on the 13th.
Both games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
