Farrell names three uncapped Connacht players in Ireland squad as Porter and Crowley miss out

Andy Farrell has named three uncapped Connacht players in a 36-man Ireland squad for the Nations Championship, with the country’s opening three rounds against Australia, Japan and New Zealand set to begin on 4 July. Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen all earn their first senior call-ups, while Andrew Porter and Jack Crowley are notable absentees through injury.

Bohan, a 20-year-old loosehead prop, had already been called into the squad during the Six Nations and steps into the frame after Porter was ruled out of all three fixtures. Crowley’s absence, caused by a leg injury sustained late in Munster’s season, means Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley are the two playmaking options available to Farrell.

New Zealand-born No.8 Jansen faces the prospect of lining up against the country of his birth at Eden Park on 18 July — a fixture that fellow New Zealand-born back James Lowe will miss following his departure from Irish rugby.

“This competition will bring the best of the northern hemisphere up against their southern counterparts and the road for that Sunday evening slot for Finals Weekend in London starts now,” Farrell said in announcing the squad. “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.”

Farrell highlighted the significance of the tour environment for player development, noting the value of experience gained playing in front of largely partisan home crowds in Sydney, Newcastle and Auckland, while also expressing confidence in strong Irish diaspora support across all three venues.

The Ireland head coach paid tribute to the three uncapped selections, saying each had “earned the right to be selected after their performances this season” and that their inclusion would “add great energy to the squad.”

The non-Leinster contingent completed a three-day training block at the IRFU High Performance Centre ahead of the squad’s departure on Monday, with Leinster players expected to join following the URC final on Friday night, in which they are involved.

Caelan Doris captains the side, with the 36-man squad featuring 20 forwards and drawing heavily from all four provinces.