Interim head coach Paul O’Connell has named his Ireland rugby squad for the upcoming summer tour, with Munster’s Craig Casey captaining the side.
There are 11 uncapped players named for July’s tests against Georgia and Portugal.
With 15 senior stars named in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour to Australia, there is room for some new faces in the Ireland setup.
Former captain Paul O’Connell takes charge of the squad. He was named interim head coach in the absence of British and Irish Lions coaches Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby.
Captaining the squad for the first time will be 26-year-old Munster scrum half, Craig Casey.
Our Summer Tour squad captained by Craig Casey! 🟢#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 4, 2025
Exciting Youngsters Named In Ireland Rugby Squad
Of the 11 uncapped players called into O’Connell’s squad, five have been there before.
Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Ben Murphy and Tommy O’Brien have all trained with the squad, but are yet to earn a senior cap.
Meanwhile, there are first call-ups for Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin.
All of the above impressed as part of the Emerging Ireland squad in South Africa last autumn.
With neither selected for the Lion, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley resume their battle for the 10 shirt.
Stuart McCloskey and Finlay Bealham are the only players over 30 in the 32-man squad.
Experienced Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw misses out due to injury.
Paul O’Connell Excited By Ireland Rugby Squad
Interim coach O’Connell played more than 100 times for Ireland.
The talismanic Munster lock hopes this summer series will offer an opportunity to fringe players.
He said: “I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July.
“A number of players have been really close to selection in recent times and it’s important that everyone grasps the challenge that’s ahead of them.
“Every moment on the training field and across the two-match Series will count and there’s a great opportunity for players to step up and impress.”
Paul O'Connell is set to step up as Ireland interim head coach for the summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal. pic.twitter.com/7LNUMeha93
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 26, 2025
Although tier two nations, O’Connell stressed both Georgia and Portugal have improved significantly, and he expects a “tough test”.
Discussing the appointment of Casey as captain, he added:Â “He is a real leader with a strong personality and it is a huge personal honour for him.
“It’s an opportunity that I know he will relish over the coming weeks.”
Ireland Rugby Squad For Summer Tour
Forwards:
Tom Ahern (Munster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Alex Kendellen (Munster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster).
Backs:
Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).
Ireland Rugby Fixtures
- Sat, 5 July: Georgia Vs Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (18:00 BST)
- Sat, 12 July: Portugal Vs Ireland, Estadio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (19:00 BST)
