11 uncapped players named in Ireland squad for summer Tests

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 Stadium  vs. 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

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