Farrell names Ireland squad for Australian, Nations Championship tour

Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 10:18 PM
AFP
by AFP
Ireland have confirmed their side for the opening leg of the Nations Championship, with Caelan Doris set to skipper the team. Photo: Getty Images
Ireland have confirmed their side for the opening leg of the Nations Championship, with Caelan Doris set to skipper the team. Photo: Getty Images

Ireland coach Andy Farrell on Wednesday named the uncapped Connacht trio of Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen in his 36-man squad for the start of the Nations Championship.

Ireland kick off the inaugural championship against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July, with the squad, captained by Caelan Doris, due to travel to Sydney on Monday.

Watch every second of the Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Jack Crowley, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Mack Hansen, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Andrew Porter are all unavailable due to injury.

Prop Bohan was part of the Ireland squad for the Six Nations earlier this season, while Illo, also a prop, and back rower Jansen, who have both featured already for Emerging Ireland, earned first senior squad call ups after impressive seasons for their province.

"Their selection, allied to an experienced majority who we hope to see perform strongly for Leinster in the URC final (against the Bulls) on Friday night, will add great energy to the squad which we’ve been building over the last number of campaigns," said Farrell in a statement.

"We have three tough Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand and it's important that we hit the ground running in this new tournament.

"We are aiming to build on our positive performances during the recent Six Nations."

Ireland will open their Nations Championship in Sydney before heading up the road to Newcastle to face Japan.

“The experience of playing Down Under will be priceless for us and even though we’ll be playing in front of largely partisan home crowds, we are also excited about playing in front of a huge Irish support," Farrell added.

"Their dedication to the team never ceases to amaze us and with a huge diaspora Down Under I’m sure we can count on a large Irish following in Sydney, Newcastle and then on to Auckland."

Ireland squad for July Nations Championship Tests

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Darragh Murray, Tom O'Toole, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Bundee Aki, Rob Baloucoune, Harry Byrne, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale

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