There are 11 uncapped players in the squad.
Andy Farrell has named a 37-man Ireland squad for this summer’s two-Test spin against the USA and Japan. Leinster lock James Ryan will captain the side.
Harry Byrne, Tom Daly, Fineen Wycherley, Paul Boyle, Gavin Coombes and Nick Timoney are the big call-ups that spring off the page after the IRFU announced the squad for Ireland’s two games.
Interestingly, Johnny Sexton, Keith Earls and Cian Healy do not feature. Farrell says he has excluded the trio as he wants to give experience and game-time to a wider spread of players. Farrell comments:
“I know the players will come in eager to make the most of this opportunity to pull on the green jersey and play in front of supporters for at the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 18 months. Johnny (Sexton), Cian (Healy) and Keith (Earls) will not be involved in this window as we grow the experience of other players. It will be a great opportunity to see can this group perform at this level.”
First up for Ireland, on July 3, are Japan. The team that beat us at the 2019 World Cup will be in Europe to provide a warm-up against the British & Irish Lions, at Murrayfield, on June 26 before heading over to Dublin.
Next on the agenda are the USA, who themselves will be providing warm-up opposition to the Springboks ahead of the Lions Test Series.
IRELAND’S SUMMER TESTS
vs. JAPAN
Saturday July 3, Aviva Stadiumvs. USA
Saturday July 10, 2021, Aviva Stadium
Connacht supporters will be buoyed to see five players included in the squad, but Gavin Thornbury is unfortunate to miss out.
Will Addison is back in the Ireland squad after his injury issues over the past two years while Robert Baloucoune is also included.
IRELAND SQUAD
Backs (17)
Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen) 4 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) uncapped
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) uncapped
Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 22 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 24 caps
Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 1 cap
Tom Daly (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 29 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 34 caps
Forwards (20)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 3 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 14 caps
Paul Boyle (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
Peter Dooley (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 5 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 21 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 11 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 43 caps
Ross Molony (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 75 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) uncapped
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 23 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) uncapped
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
