Andy Farrell has named an exciting Ireland squad to take on South Africa, Fiji and Australia in the upcoming Autumn International Series.
Johnny Sexton will captain the squad, which is finely mixed with familiar faces and youthful excitement, rewarding some great performances from less experienced players over the last few months.
An 'A' squad of 12 players has also been named, all of whom should be involved against the Maori All Blacks on November 4 at the RDS. Players such as Thomas Ahern, Max Deegan, and Scott Penny have been duly rewarded for their Emerging Ireland form with a further taste of senior international rugby.
Exciting Inclusions In The Ireland Squad
The Ireland Squad features six uncapped players: Ciaran Frawley, Jeremy Loughmam, Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien and Cian Prendergast. All of whom impressed in the Summer Series against New Zealand or on the recent Emerging Ireland tour.
With under a year left until the World Cup, these fixtures will be the perfect opportunity for Andy Farrell to experiment with his team, whilst also testing themselves against the world's best.
Ulster fans will be delighted to see the inclusion of Stuart McCloskey in the squad after an impressive start to the season. With just three centres named, it looks as if McCloskey will get some game time in the green jersey.
Similarly, the inclusions of Robert Balacoune, Michael Lowry, and the return of Jacob Stockdale is the stuff of dreams!
Introducing your Ireland squad for the upcoming @bankofireland Nations Series at Aviva Stadium! 💪
Head Coach Andy Farrell has also named an additional panel of players for the Ireland 'A' fixture against the All Blacks XV ⬇️#TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 19, 2022
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Injury Doubts
James Lowe, Iain Henderson, Ronan Kelleher, Keith Earls and Jordan Larmour are set to miss the Autumn International Series through injury and could be crucial losses for Ireland.
Similarly, the squad has some doubt clouded over it, with James Ryan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Beirne all currently nursing injuries. Andy Farrell will be hoping his key men will be fully fit by the time South Africa come to the Aviva on November 5th
Ireland Squad for Autumn International Series
Backs
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 2 caps
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 35 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 5 caps
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/Skerries) uncapped
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 20 caps
Mack Hansen (Connacht) 6 caps
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 60 caps
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 23 caps
Michael Lowry (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 99 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 6 caps
Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas) uncapped
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 44 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 108 caps CAPTAIN
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 35 caps
Forwards
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 8 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 25 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 33 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 30 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 20 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 60 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 7 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 118 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 28 caps
Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen) uncapped
Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin) uncapped
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 87 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 3 caps
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 46 caps
Cian Prendergast (Connacht) uncapped
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 46 caps
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 10 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 2 caps
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena) 8 caps
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 43 caps
Ireland 'A' Squad
Tom Ahern (Munster/Shannon) Diarmuid Barron (Munster/Garryowen) Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) 1 cap
Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution) Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 2 caps Max Deegan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 3 caps Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 48 caps Marty Moore (Ulster) 10 caps Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas) Scott Penny (Leinster/UCD) Roman Salanoa (Munster/Shannon)
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