Star Metro - Farrell names uncapped Connacht trio in Ireland's Nations squad

Ireland kick off the inaugural championship against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July, with the squad, captained by Caelan Doris, due to travel to Sydney on Monday.

Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Jack Crowley, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Mack Hansen, Paddy McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Andrew Porter are all unavailable due to injury.

Prop Bohan was part of the Ireland squad for the Six Nations earlier this season, while Illo, also a prop, and back rower Jansen, who have both featured already for Emerging Ireland, earned first senior squad call ups after impressive seasons for their province.

"Their selection, allied to an experienced majority who we hope to see perform strongly for Leinster in the URC final (against the Bulls)on Friday night, will add great energy to the squad which we’ve been building over the last number of campaigns," said Farrell in a statement.

"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.

"We are aiming to build on our positive performances during the recent Six Nations."

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Darragh Murray, Tom O'Toole, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier

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

Ireland Fixtures:

Saturday, July 4: Australia v Ireland, Sydney

Saturday, July 11: Japan v Ireland, Newcastle, Australia

Saturday, July 18: New Zealand v Ireland, Auckland

O.Poirier--SMC