Andy Farrell Names 35-Man Ireland Rugby Squad For Autumn Nations Tests
Andy Farrell Names 35-Man Ireland Rugby Squad For Autumn Nations Tests
Andy Farrell has named a 35-man Ireland squad for the Autumn Nations Series, featuring captain Caelan Doris and two uncapped players.
Ireland Rugby head coach Andy Farrell has unveiled a 35-player squad for the highly anticipated Autumn Nations Series at Aviva Stadium.
The squad will be led by Caelan Doris, who previously captained Ireland in its Six Nations win over Italy and a test victory against South Africa in July.
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The squad features a blend of youth and experience, including two uncapped players - Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast - both of whom impressed for Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein last month and were part of Farrell’s Summer Tour squad.
Both players will be eager to make their senior international debuts in the upcoming series, which includes matches against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
In addition to Izuchukwu and Prendergast, Farrell has named five uncapped players - Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, and Gus McCarthy - as training panelists. These players will benefit from exposure to the national team environment as they continue their development.
Veteran flanker Peter O’Mahony is included in the extended squad and will continue his rehabilitation with Munster next week, with the hope of being fit for selection in the weeks to come.
Ireland Rugby To Play Twice In Aviva Stadium To Start Series
Looking ahead to the series, Farrell expressed excitement about the challenge.
"The challenge that awaits us this November is one of the toughest we could face, and I’d like to congratulate each of the players on their selection," Farrell said. "There is a blend of youth and experience, but all players are selected on merit based on their form from the summer tour, early rounds of the URC and the Emerging Ireland tour."
The series kicks off with two Friday night games at Aviva Stadium, beginning with the All Blacks on Nov. 8, followed by Argentina on Nov. 15.
Ireland then will take on Fiji on Nov. 23, before concluding with a special test match against Australia on Nov. 30, marking the 150th anniversary of the IRFU.
Farrell is expecting a vibrant atmosphere.
"With two Friday night games up first and then Fiji and the IRFU’s 150th Anniversary test against Australia, it promises to be a cracking atmosphere at a packed Aviva Stadium," he said.
What Ireland Rugby Captain Caelan Doris Said
Captain Caelan Doris shared his pride in being named skipper for the series.
"It is an enormous honor to be named Ireland captain, and I’m excited to lead the squad over the coming weeks," Doris said. "We have a special group of players, and I am confident that bright days are ahead as we build up for four huge tests."
Several players dealing with injuries are expected to return to the selection frame as the series progresses.
Farrell remains optimistic about their recovery, adding.
"While some players have been sidelined, they are making positive strides in their rehab, and we hope they will be available as the series unfolds," Farrell added.
The Ireland squad will assemble at the IRFU High-Performance Centre on Monday before departing for a warm-weather training camp in Portugal to prepare for the opening test against New Zealand.
Ireland Rugby Squad For Autumn Nations
Forwards (19):
- Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(22)
- Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(42)
- Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(52)
- Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(43)(Captain)
- Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(78)
- Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(131)
- Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht)(7)
- Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(81)
- Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(40)
- Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
- Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(33)
- Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(12)
- Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(107)
- Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(13)
- Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(66)
- Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(3)
- James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(64)
- Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster)(3)
- Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(64)
Backs (16):
- Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(57)
- Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(15)
- Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(16)
- Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(6)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(35)
- Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(21)
- Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(74)
- Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(39)
- James Lowe (Leinster)(33)
- Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(18)
- Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(118)
- Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(8)
- Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(2)
- Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
- Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(60)
- Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(37)
Training Panellists (5):
- Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)*
- Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster)*
- Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*
- Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)*
- Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)*
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