4 days ago
Craig Casey to captain Ireland for summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal
Craig Casey will captain Ireland for their summer tour of Georgia and Portugal, while there are 11 uncapped players named in the squad.
Interim head coach Paul O'Connell has named a 32-man squad for the Tests on 5 and 12 July.
Munster scrum-half Casey will be the 112th player to captain his country.
Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin have been called up for the first time, while Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy and Tommy O'Brien will look for their first caps having previously trained with the senior squad.
After recently returning from long-term injuries, Ulster forwards Iain Henderson and Rob Herring were not considered for selection to allow them to focus on a full pre-season programme, while Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw was not available due to injury.
O'Connell said: "I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July.
"Georgia have made great strides in recent years, and they have made significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby.
"Under the experience of Richard Cockerill, they have built on a traditionally strong forward unit with a talented backline and they will provide a tough test for us.
"Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the Rugby World Cup 2023 and Simon Mannix is a coach I know having worked with him previously (at Munster). They play with confidence and we're expecting another tough test.
"With 15 players away with the British and Irish Lions, this tour presents an opportunity for those on the fringes to impress the coaching team.
"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."
Ulster trio James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward have been included as training panellists
This will be the sixth time that Ireland will face Georgia, ranked 11 in the world, while it will be the inaugural international senior match against Portugal, 18th in the rankings.
The Ireland squad will gather for a training camp in Dublin ahead of the departure to Tbilisi on Wednesday, 2 July.
Ireland Men's Squad - Summer Series 2025:
Player/Club/Province/Caps
Forwards (18):
Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster)*
Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (27)
Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht) (51)
Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster) (2)
Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster) (6)
Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster) (2)
Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (2)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (1)
Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster)*
Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (4)
Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)*
Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)*
Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)*
Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (16)
Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht) (4)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)*
Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (2)
Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster) (3)
Backs (14):
Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*
Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (captain ) (18)
Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (24)
Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)*
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster) (8)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) (19)
Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)*
Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) (10)
Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster) (8)
Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)*
Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster) (7)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) (8)
Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) (38)
Training Panellists:
