Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell and the coaching team have named a 37-man Ireland squad for the Vodafone Summer Series which features two Tests in July against Japan and the USA at the Aviva Stadium.
10 Munster players are included (five backs and five forwards) as Bantry's Fineen Wycherley is named in an Ireland squad for the first time with the uncapped Gavin Coombes also included.
The full Munster contingent is: Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Chris Farrell, Gavin Coombes, Dave Kilcoyne, Peter O'Mahony, John Ryan and Fineen Wycherley.
Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray have both joined the British & Irish Lions squad ahead of their tour to South Africa.
The match against Japan on Saturday 3rd July will kick off at 1pm and the fixture against the USA on Saturday 10th July will kick off at 7.15pm. Both fixtures are part of the government’s outdoor pilot sport event programme which will see limited supporters back in the Aviva Stadium.
James Ryan will captain the squad during the Vodafone Summer Series and there are 11 uncapped players named – Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley (Munster), Robert Baloucoune, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney (Ulster), Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Paul Boyle, (Connacht), Harry Byrne, Peter Dooley, Ross Molony (Leinster).
Andy Farrell, Ireland head coach, said, “We now have two games at home to focus on which will be a good challenge for the group. Japan played the Sunwolves at the weekend and will play the Lions the week before we play at the Aviva Stadium and we know the quality of their squad from the World Cup. We will assemble as a squad on the 22nd June and begin our preparations for the two games.
"I know the players will come in eager to make the most of this opportunity to pull on the green jersey and play in front of supporters for at the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 18 months.
"Johnny (Sexton), Cian (Healy) and Keith (Earls) will not be involved in this window as we grow the experience of other players. It will be a great opportunity to see can this group perform at this level.”
Both games will be broadcast live by RTÉ and Channel 4.
International
10 Munster Players In Ireland Squad For Summer Series
14th June 2021