Andy Farrell likes to occasionally add an unrestricted player to his squads. For a little taste. To give them a taste of the big boys’ environment.
Only once in Farrell’s tenure did he go wild, calling up 11 players without a limit. For that, back in the summer of 2021, it was because several senior stars were on British & Irish Lion duty in South Africa. For the New Zealand 2022 tour, with five games in a tight schedule, five newcomers have been called up. Fans and media usually get two uncapped players to focus on. Every now and then, like on a summer tour, there are three.
His team’s announcements are exciting enough to get proper coverage, but there isn’t much that extends into two- and three-day news cycles. Breakdowns on social networks were spared. No one bangs on tables in podcast studios. You could safely name 27 of Farrell’s World Cup squads. The remainder for the six remaining spots is where the drama is.
‘Some Specimen of Man’
Farrell appointed Ulster duo Jamie Benson and James McNabney in his 36-man squad, then revealed that both were already in camp to get to grips with the game and the players. Benson, signed by Harlequins earlier this year, he was brought in to train with the senior squad ahead of the summer games against Australia, Japan and New Zealand. “It was great to meet him and see what he’s all about,” Farrell said. “He’s started the season really well, in a couple of different positions, for Ulster. It shows his versatility.”
McNabney was ready for his Ireland made his debut in the summer of 2025 after being appointed for the tour by interim head coach Paul O’Connell Georgia and Portugal. Then just 22, McNabney suffered an ACL injury and was replaced in the team by Munster’s Brian Gleeson. The back row, which was part of the Ireland U20s Six Nations He won the Grand Slam in 2022 and 2023, missing all of last season as he recovered and rehabbed his knee. He returned this season to start at No.8 against Edinburgh, before coming off the bench in the draw with Glasgow and Munster.
Farrell confirmed that McNabney, who comes in at 19 stone and 6ft 5in, has been called up to Ireland’s alignment camp at the end of August. “It just shows that we’ve been interested in him for a while,” Farrell added. “He’s quite the man and certainly carries his weight. So we’re excited to have him and Jamie.”
More fire for Munster stomachs
Munster captain Tadhg Beirne hails from Eadestown, Kildare, so Craig Casey is the province’s only home-grown representative in the Ireland senior team. Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash have been included in the squad announcement as injured players are not considered, so there are two small consolations for the southern brothers.
Taking a closer look at the Munster squad and Ireland’s pressing needs, a few of the excluded players may find themselves struggling. Evan O’Connell and Brian Gleeson have started the season well and have been tipped in some quarters to be called up. Both have been in and around the senior teams before, but Farrell opted for McNabney and Connacht’s Darragh Murray.
Over the past decade, there has been a growing feeling that Munster players are not getting close team selection and are under-represented… Saturday at the Aviva Stadium could be very spicy.
There was some speculation that Farrell would bring in an ex England stubborn, Kieran Brookes, now that he is based in Munster. The 36-year-old, who won the last of his seven England caps a decade ago, has proved a canny signing for Munster, and has impressed in his time in contention, but Ireland clearly like what they see in Sam Ill. The Connacht props will encourage Tom Clarkson to support Tadhg Furlong. Jeremy Loughman was certainly in with a shout, but Billy Bohan was given last place regardless.
After a difficult start to the season against Glasgow, there is optimism around Munster. After last weekend’s win over Racing, Clayton McMillan said: “I hope people see people who are happy to turn up for work, see the evolution of a clear identity around how we want to play – a team that, when under pressure, will fight hard to win more chances than we lose.”
Over the past decade, there has been a growing feeling that Munster players are not getting close team selection and are under-represented. Last October, four Munster players were named in the Ireland squad, and they took offense to it, winning Leinster in Croke Park three days later. This time, with another Leinster game to come, they only have two inclusions. Saturday at the Aviva Stadium could be very spicy. Lots of things to prove.
Prendergast for starters, but Frawley is a huge bonus
Leinster attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal has flippantly suggested that Sam Prendergast has not drastically changed his game, or bulked up, but instead grown his hair. The 23-year-old has put on some wood over the summer though and is playing with a real spark.
He’s noticeably been more of a threat in his three games so far and is showing a willingness to get stuck into defensive duties. Farrell will be encouraged like most Leinster fans by his brilliant start to the season. Expect him to carry 10 against Argentina and, in all likelihood, South Africa.
Frawley has enjoyed a fantastic start for Connacht, playing three games in the number 10 shirt, scoring four tries and winning two man of the match awards. He has played 15 games for Ireland so far, with his only start at half-time coming against Japan last summer. His form and talent certainly deserves a start against Fiji. Frawley will shoot more than that, and at 28, his time may finally have come.
Race on one horse for jersey no.7
One of the key subplots of this team announcement revolves around who will compete with Josh van der Flier for the starting outfield role. Farrell looked at Caelan Doris and Nick Timoney in the number 7 jersey, aware that Van der Flier was 33. The Leinster back row missed Test minutes on his first ever. Lions tour in 2025, but Farrell started him in all six matches last season, against genuine heavyweight nations.
Ryan Baird and Cian Prendergast will give up starts at blindside, Van der Flier gets big outings and Sean Jansen looks set for some big starts at the back.
Had Doris been fit, Farrell might have been tempted to play him in the open against South Africa, with Sean Jansen at No.8. As it is, Doris and Jack Conan are ruled out for the Nations Championship. Ulster’s Bryn Ward suffered a knee injury and also missed out. “It’s always going to test you when you have a couple of injuries at one position,” Farrell noted. “It’s not just about the guys coming on. It’s about the rest of the team, making sure we all come in together.”
Farrell is unlikely to rush into any other changes to the back row. Ryan Baird and Cian Prendergast will give up starts at blindside, Van der Flier gets big outings and Sean Jansen looks set for some big starts at the back. There may be a temptation to start Beirne at No.6, but Ireland are better off with him in the second row and James Ryan as a strike substitute.
Can McCloskey back up his best season ever?
It was interesting to note, earlier this week, that Alex Nankivell signed for two more seasons with Munster. If he gets through them unscathed, the New Zealander then becomes Irish qualified. Nankivell would be 32 in 2028 when, under World Rugby’s five-year residency rules, he would be eligible to play for his adopted country.
We are still two years away from this possibility, but the center is firmly on the right track. Ireland’s latest squad has four centers over the age of 30 – Garry Ringrose (31), Robbie Henshaw (33), Stuart McCloskey (34) and Bundee Aki (36) – while the versatile Jimmy O’Brien is not far behind. They might still need Nankivell.
(Photo by Michael Bradley/AFP via Getty Images)
McCloskey enjoyed his best campaign to date, for Ulster and Ireland, last season but ended it on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring. He seems to have usurped Aki and Hensho and is playing with real confidence. If he is capable of stepping up to another level, Ireland could certainly do it. Benson and Jamie Osborne are younger options, but don’t expect Farrell to deviate too much from his plans up to and including the World Cup.
A battle royal on the wings
Farrell rates Mack Hansen extremely highly. When the Connacht winger is fit, he’s off to Ireland. In his last two games last season, in November 2025, Hansen was selected as a fullback Australia and South Africa. He then underwent foot surgery but returned to make three consecutive starts for Stuart Lancaster’s men. If he gets through Connacht’s next two games, Vs Zebras and Leinster, I expect him to go straight back to the Ireland XV.
I would take this opportunity to give Tommy O’Brien a long, hard look at outside center, in at least one game.
Hugo Keenan is likely to start at full-back, so Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Rob Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale and possibly Osborne are pushing for the final full-back spot. Ireland may lack Test-proven loose ends and a No.8, but Farrell is spoiled for back three options. My vote would be Baloucoune, and I’d take this opportunity to give Tommy O’Brien a long, hard look at outside centre, in at least one game.
My Strongest Ireland XV: 15. Hugo Keenan; 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Tommy O’Brien, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Rob Baloucoune; 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Cian Prendergast, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Sean Jansen.