Andy Farrell has named his squad for the tour of South Africa, and there are several interesting selections. Nineteen forwards and sixteen backs have been selected.
Young Leinster outhalf Sam Prendergast makes the squad; Leinster's Jamie Osborne and Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu are also notable inclusions.
Peter O’Mahony captains the side.
Jack Conan misses out for personal reasons, with his wife due to give birth, while Mack Hansen is also going to sit out the summer. The Connacht winger hasn't played since New Year's Day against Munster. Jamison Gibson-Park has also missed out due to hamstring troubles.
Looking ahead to the Summer Tour, Farrell said: “Travelling to South Africa to play a Test Series against the defending world champions provides no greater test for us, and it is another valuable opportunity for us to further grow and develop from the Guinness Six Nations.
“The squad will come together in Dublin this week in preparation for the tour, and the group understands the need to hit the ground running, ensuring we are the best version of ourselves for the challenge ahead.”
Unfortunately Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out of our Summer Tour due to a hamstring injury - wishing you a speedy recovery, Jamo! 👊#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/t7ovXHNvOl
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 18, 2024
Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony added, “I am proud to be asked to lead Ireland in South Africa, a country that provides one of the toughest challenges in world rugby.
“As reigning world champions, South Africa will provide the sternest of tests, and we know that we will have to perform at a high level to get the results we want. There's been a lot of respect and familiarity between both countries in recent years at the international and club levels since they were invited to join the URC and European Cup competitions, and we know the challenge that awaits.”
The squad assembled at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin on Thursday to begin preparations for the two-match Test Series against the Springboks. They will depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, June 25.
Ireland's first Test against the Boks will be on Saturday, July 6, in Pretoria. Then they will head to Durban for the second and final test on Saturday, July 13.
Sky Sports will show both tests in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Ireland Squad: Summer Tour 2024:
Player/Club/Province/Caps
Forwards:
Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) 20
Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 40
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 50
Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 41
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 76
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 129
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 39
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Oli Jager (Munster) 1
Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster): 31
Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) 10
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) (captain) 105
Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 13
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 64
Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht) 3
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 62
Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 26
Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster) 3
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 62
Backs:
Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 56
Caolin Blade (Galwegians/Connacht) 2
Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) 14
Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) 14
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster) 4
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 72
Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 32
James Lowe (Leinster): 31
Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 17
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 116
Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) 6
Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster) 8
Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster): 58
Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 37
* denotes uncapped player
Unavailable: Jamison Gibson-Park (hamstring injury) and Jack Conan (personal reasons).
Summer Tour 2024 Fixtures:
- Saturday, July 6: South Africa vs. Ireland, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (5pm local time/4 Irish time)
- Saturday, July 13: South Africa vs. Ireland, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban (5pm local time/4 Irish time).
