Andy Farrell has named a 36-man Ireland squad for the Nations Championship, the new global competition that pits the northern hemisphere's leading nations against their southern counterparts — but he must do so without several frontline players ruled out by injury.
Fly-half Jack Crowley, who re-established himself as Ireland's starting 10 during the 2026 Six Nations, misses out with a blood-vessel problem in his leg that has kept him sidelined since mid-April. Loosehead prop Andrew Porter, who also missed the entire Six Nations, suffered a second calf injury in Leinster's URC semi-final win over the Stormers that has ended his season. Connacht wing Mack Hansen, who underwent foot surgery in December, is also absent.
The IRFU confirmed a further seven players are unavailable through injury: Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Paddy McCarthy and Calvin Nash. Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said last week that Crowley's puzzling injury had finally been diagnosed and had offered some hope the out-half might feature this summer, but he has not been risked.
Caelan Doris captains the side, and there are first call-ups for an uncapped Connacht trio: Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen, part of a strong Connacht contingent in the group.
"I'm pleased to announce the Ireland squad for the opening three rounds of the Nations Championship," Farrell said. "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."
"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," he added.
Farrell singled out the new caps. "Congratulations to Billy, Sam and Sean on their selections and each of them has earned the right to be selected after their performances this season," he said. "Their selection, allied to an experienced majority who we hope to see perform strongly for Leinster in the BKT URC final on Friday night, will add great energy to the squad which we've been building over the last number of campaigns."
The non-Leinster players across the three provinces completed a three-day training block at the IRFU High Performance Centre this week, with the squad due to depart on Monday.
Ireland, who finished second behind France in the 2026 Six Nations and claimed a Triple Crown, open their Nations Championship campaign against Australia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 4 July. They then face Japan at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on 11 July before a daunting trip to meet New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on 18 July.
