Uncapped trio in Ireland squad but Crowley out

Uncapped Connacht trio Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen have been named in Ireland’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship fixtures, but injured fly-half Jack Crowley has been ruled out.

Crowley, who re-established himself as head coach Andy Farrell’s first-choice out-half during the Six Nations, has not been included after Munster boss Clayton McMillan revealed he had been diagnosed with a blood vessel issue.

The 26-year-old’s absence means Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley will compete for the starting fly-half spot.

Leinster props Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy are ruled out, while there is no place for James Lowe after he announced his departure from Irish rugby last week.

Ireland will face Australia in Sydney on 4 July, Japan in Newcastle on 11 July and New Zealand in Auckland on 18 July.

Caelan Doris will captain the 36-man squad which travels to Sydney on Monday.

With Leinster preparing for Friday’s United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls, Ireland squad members from Ulster, Munster and Connacht completed a three-day training block in Dublin this week.

Farrell, who earlier this month signed a contract extension until 2031, said he wants his side to “build on our positive performances” from the Six Nations campaign that yielded a fourth Triple Crown in five years.

“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,” said Farrell.

“The experience of playing down under will be priceless for us and even though we’ll be playing in front of largely partisan home crowds, we are also excited about playing in front of a huge Irish support.”

Injuries pile up as Jansen rewarded – analysis

Farrell had already been planning for a summer without some key names, with Connacht wing Mack Hansen still sidelined by the foot injury that has kept him out since December.

Having missed the Six Nations, Porter’s bad luck continues while Ryan Baird is another experienced campaigner missing through injury.

But news of Crowley’s unavailability is a significant blow after his impressive performances against England, Wales and Scotland in the Six Nations.

Prendergast, who started the first two Six Nations matches, will face stiff competition from Leinster team-mate Byrne for the starting role.

Byrne was Leinster’s first-choice fly-half during the run to the Investec Champions Cup final, but Prendergast has been preferred in the URC play-offs and will start Friday’s final against the Bulls at Croke Park.

The versatile Frawley – who starred in Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa in 2024 – will also be keen for an opportunity at fly-half.

Given his shortage of loose-head prop options, Farrell has opted for another look at Bohan, who was an unused member of this year’s Six Nations squad.

The 20-year-old has established himself as a regular starter under Stuart Lancaster at Connacht after making his debut in December, but Farrell also has Jeremy Loughman and Tom O’Toole as more experienced options in that position.

With Illo adding to the tight-head ranks, Farrell will get a closer look at two fresh front-row options just over a year out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Jansen is also rewarded for an impressive string of performances in an improving Connacht side that ended the season strongly to secure Champions Cup qualification.

Having scored 10 URC tries this season, the New Zealand-born number eight has the tools to stand out in a crowded field that includes captain Doris and six-Test British and Irish Lion Jack Conan.

Ireland squad

Forwards (20): Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Billy Bohan (Connacht), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, captain), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Sam Illo (Connacht), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

Backs (16): Bundee Aki (Connacht), Rob Baloucoune (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)