Ireland Squad Revealed
Andy Farrell Names Ireland's 36-Man Squad for Nations Championship, Addressing Key Injury Absences
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Key Points
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In naming the squad, Andy Farrell also included Munster’s Tadhg Beirne and Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey despite both having missed the tail-end of their respective seasons, giving the touring party extra frontline experience beyond the uncapped Connacht trio.
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Fly-half Jack Crowley’s absence was attributed to a “blood vessel issue,” with Munster boss Clayton McMillan cited as revealing the diagnosis (rather than the cause being left entirely unspecified).
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Farrell said the Nations Championship is about being ready immediately, quoting: “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,” and he added that the selection—“an experienced majority”—is intended to “add great energy to the squad” ahead of Leinster’s URC final.
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Beyond Crowley and Porter, the squad announcement included other injury-related exclusions—such as Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Mack Hansen, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash—and also noted that James Lowe was left out following his move to play abroad next season (after failing to cut a deal with Leinster, per one report).
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell named a 36-man squad on June 17 for the inaugural Nations Championship, with Caelan Doris retaining the captaincy. Ireland face Australia in Sydney on July 4, Japan on July 11, and New Zealand on July 18. Farrell said: "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." France 24 reported the squad includes three uncapped Connacht players — loosehead prop Billy Bohan, tighthead prop Sam Illo, and back-rower Sean Jansen.
The announcement came with a long injury list. Fly-half Jack Crowley and loosehead prop Andrew Porter were both ruled out. So were Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen, Calvin Nash, and several others — ten front-line players in total. James Lowe was also left out, but for a different reason: the Leinster winger is leaving to play abroad after contract talks with the IRFU collapsed, according to The Irish Times.
Crowley's Blood Vessel Diagnosis Leaves Ireland Short at Fly-Half
Jack Crowley's absence is the most pressing concern for Farrell. The Munster fly-half was sidelined in mid-April with what was first described as a mystery leg injury. On June 12, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan confirmed a diagnosis: a rare blood vessel issue in Crowley's leg. McMillan called it "obscure" and "unfortunate," and said there is a management plan but no clear return date, according to Ruck.
To cover the No. 10 jersey, Farrell called up Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne, and Ciaran Frawley. Prendergast is widely seen as the leading candidate for the starting role. Analysts at Rugby LAD described this as a "sink or swim" moment for the 23-year-old, who many regard as the future of Irish rugby at out-half.
Connacht Trio Gets the Call, Jansen Eyeing All Blacks Debut
The most talked-about inclusions are the three uncapped Connacht players. Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, and Sean Jansen have all earned first call-ups to the senior squad. Farrell described the group as an "experienced majority" that would "add great energy" to the touring party, according to RFI. Leinster's URC final was also cited as a reason some players were not yet available for selection.
Back-rower Sean Jansen draws extra attention because of his New Zealand background. If he makes his Ireland debut in Auckland on July 18, he would face the All Blacks — the country of his birth. Rugbypass highlighted the poetic potential of that moment. Also included despite late-season injuries are Munster's Tadhg Beirne and Ulster's Stuart McCloskey, adding experienced depth to the squad.
Lowe Exit Leaves Ireland Without Their Most Prolific Winger
James Lowe's omission is not injury-related. The Leinster winger, who scored 71 tries in 101 appearances for the province and 17 tries in 45 Ireland caps, is leaving for Japan. Reports suggest he will join Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath after talks with Leinster and the IRFU broke down. The Irish Times reported that the IRFU declined to provide the top-up funds needed to keep him, with the rejected deal reportedly worth €200,000 — down from a previous figure of around €350,000.
The reaction has been sharp. Gerry Thornley of The Irish Times called Lowe's exit "brutally cold." Former Leinster teammate James Tracy claimed on Off The Ball that Lowe's original offer was "withdrawn at the last minute" and replaced with one at half the value. At 33, Lowe would have been 35 by the 2027 World Cup in Australia, and Farrell appears to be building toward a younger core for that cycle.
What the Nations Championship Is and Why It Matters
The Nations Championship is a new World Rugby tournament replacing the old summer tour model. It brings together all 12 top nations — the Six Nations teams plus the SANZAAR sides and invitees Japan and Fiji — in a points-based league. Results from the July window carry into a Finals Weekend in London in late November 2026. It is the first time July Tests have had direct stakes attached to them.
Ireland open against Australia at the 45,500-capacity Allianz Stadium in Sydney on July 4, a match already confirmed as a sell-out, according to MunsterRugby.ie. Farrell signed a contract extension on June 5 keeping him in the Ireland job until the 2031 World Cup, giving the setup long-term stability even as it navigates a short-term injury crisis heading into the first game.
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