Munster scrum-half Craig Casey will captain an Ireland squad containing 11 uncapped gamers for his or her summer season tour to Georgia and Portugal.
Casey will turn out to be the 112th man to guide the nationwide workforce and takes over from Caelan Doris, who was a contender to skipper the British and Irish Lions this summer season till being dominated out by a shoulder damage.
The 26-year-old has accrued 18 caps since making his debut towards Italy in 2021.
Interim head coach Paul O’Connell mentioned: “I wish to congratulate Craig on his choice as captain.
“He’s an actual chief with a robust persona. It’s an enormous private honour for him and a possibility that I do know he’ll relish.”
Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy, Tommy O’Brien, Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin will likely be aiming to make their Eire debuts subsequent month.
Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will proceed their duel for the fly-half duties after being neglected by the Lions, however there is no such thing as a place within the 32-man squad for knee damage sufferer Robbie Henshaw.
Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have been stood down from the tour after solely not too long ago recovering from long-term accidents.
Eire face George in Tbilisi on July 5 earlier than taking up Portugal in Lisbon every week later.
O’Connell is answerable for the squad as a result of absence of Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby with the Lions.
“I imagine we have now a robust mix of youth and expertise for what will likely be a visit into comparatively uncharted territories this July,” O’Connell mentioned.
“Georgia have made nice strides in recent times and so they have made important funding of their rugby programme, which has established them amongst the main rising sides in worldwide rugby.
“Portugal showcased their attacking prowess throughout the 2023 World Cup. They play with confidence and we’re anticipating one other robust check.”
Eire squad:
Forwards: T Ahern (Munster)*, R Baird (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J Boyle (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), G Coombes (Munster), M Deegan (Leinster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), A Kendellen (Munster)*, G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster)*, M Milne (Munster)*, D Murray (Connacht)*, T O’Toole (Ulster), C Prendergast (Connacht), S Smyth (Leinster)*, T Stewart (Ulster), N Timoney (Ulster).
Backs: S Bolton (Connacht)*, C Casey (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), N Doak (Ulster)*, C Frawley (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht)*, S McCloskey (Ulster), B Murphy (Connacht)*, C Nash (Munster), J O’Brien (Leinster), T O’Brien (Leinster)*, J Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster).
*denotes uncapped participant
