Andy Farrell has named his 35-man Ireland squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series at the Aviva Stadium.
Caelan Doris will captain the team with Peter O’Mahony included in the extended panel and will continue his rehabilitation with Munster, eyeing a return to action in the coming weeks.
Doris captained Ireland in the Six Nations victory over Italy last February and did so again in the second Test against the Springboks in July.
Uncapped players and recalls
There are two uncapped players named in the squad with Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast earning call-ups after touring with Ireland to South Africa. The duo also featured for Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein last month.
Five uncapped players will benefit from increased exposure to the national team environment as they have been included as ‘Training Panellists’, the quintet are Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy.
Hooker Dan Sheehan misses the squad through injury but Rónan Kelleher and Rob Herring provide timely fitness boosts for Farrell who has also called in Connacht front-rower Dave Heffernan.
Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, and Andrew Porter make up the familiar-looking prop stocks.
There aren’t many changes to the pack that toured South Africa but notably, there is space for Nick Timoney and Cian Prendergast.
In the backs, Mack Hansen makes his long-awaited return to the squad after a troublesome run of injuries while Jamison Gibson-Park also returns having missed the two Tests against the Springboks.
Hugo Keenan is also back after starring for the Ireland Sevens team while Jamie Osbourne returns to his place in the squad.
Farrell and Doris’ reactions
“The challenge that awaits us this November is one of the toughest we could face and I would like to congratulate each of the players on their selection,” Farrell said.
“There is a blend of youth and experience, but all of the players are selected on merit carried from their form in recent months from the summer tour, the early rounds of the URC and at the Emerging Ireland Tour.
“While some of the players have been sidelined of late, collectively they are making positive strides on the injury front and we are hopeful that they will come into the selection frame over the course of the coming weeks as they ramp up their respective rehab programmes.”
Ireland captain Caelan Doris added: “It is an enormous honour to be named Ireland captain and I am excited about leading the squad into battle over the coming weeks. I am very fortunate to have had so much support from my family and friends and many others along the way from Mayo to Blackrock and on to Leinster and Ireland.
“I am extremely proud to lead this squad and I know that there’s an experienced group of leaders who will work hard to achieve success in the weeks ahead. We have a special group of players and I am confident that there are bright days to come as we build up for four huge Tests at Aviva Stadium.”
Ireland squad
Forwards (19): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier
Backs (16): Bundee Aki, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale
Training Panellists: Thomas Clarkson, Alex Kendellen, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy
Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series 2024 Fixtures
Friday, November 8: Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Friday, November 15: Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 23: Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
Saturday, November 30: Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm.